The biggest celebration of culture in Uganda ‘Rukundo Egumeho’, a festival that is annually organized by the Bakiga people in Kampala is back.
Bakiga Nation as the event has come to be known is slated to happen tomorrow on Martyrs Day at the Naguru hilltop in Kampala. The festival brings together people who are affiliated to the Bakiga tribe of Southwestern Uganda to celebrate their traditions, customs, food and what identifies them as a people.
It is synonymous with entertainment, dancing, drinking the local ‘bushera’, networking and reconnecting with culture.
As the youthful Kampalans from Kigezi gear up for the event, James Byaruhanga, the co-founder of Bakiga Nation has revealed to SoftPower News that there is more to expect in this year’s edition.
As opposed to previous events, organizers have promised revelers to interact with a unique environment, new stage look, exciting line up of activities and entertainers during tomorrow’s Bakiga Nation festival. Gates open at mid day.
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“Just like previously, we are about the celebration of the Bakiga culture. But this time around, we have invited the Batooro through the Association of Empako Yange to join us in he fifth edition,” Byaruhanga said.
He added that; “We have a lot of games, music band, a cultural troupe, we expect a bigger audience since Greater Kigezi is leading the Martyrs Day prayers at the Namugongo Anglican shrine. So, the festival in the afternoon will be like an after party”.
Some of the musicians to perform include Amani, Haga Mukiga and Shine Omukiga all hailing from Kigezi. On top of that, there will be a guest musician who the organizers are keeping as a surprise act.
In addition to merrymaking and networking, the festival has always been used to support social causes using proceeds generated from sales of Bakiga Nation merchandise. This time, the target is to fundraise to improve the infrastructure for a community primary school in Rukungiri starting September this year.
At the fest, revelers will have a chance to win items from select competitions such as quizzes.
“We have been doing Rukiga quizes around town so, this time round we shall give the audience a feel of that quiz called Condoza. We have some categories that will be answered by the public,” Byaruhanga told this website on Saturday.
“We got partners like Uganda Breweries Ltd, Pepsi and NBS that will be giving out prizes to winners of the different activities”.
Unlike last year where concerns were raised regarding the lack of a stage platform, this time the event will have a fully fledged stage with LED lights and screens.
