By Laura Cenge
With several activities having been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24th guild government of Uganda Christian University (UCU) has revived the cultural gala. This event took place at Nkoyoyo Hall on October 22 under the theme “culture, character, and patriotism.”
Students displayed a blend of different cultures in Uganda from which they were graded based on presentation and time management.
The guild president, Racheal Sserwadda thanked the students and the rest of the UCU fraternity for supporting each other and coming up with a colorful occasion. She encouraged other tribes that did not participate to join in the exhibition in the next gala.
“We as the guild government are very grateful for the students that participated in the presentations and the ones who also came in to cheer, “she said.
Among the tribes that presented were the Acholi, Lango, Teso, Karimojong, Nigerians, Banyankole, Tooro, Basamia, Basoga, Baganda and many others. The different tribes were tasked to present to their traditional crafts, dress code, anthem, storytelling, dance and a little history on their origin.
The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor Assoc. Prof. Aaron Mushengyezi and the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Mukono, Pontius Kayeru as the Guest of Honor.
Kayeru expressed his appreciation for the pupils’ patriotic behavior throughout the occasion. He claimed that culture, as demonstrated via the presentations, is a sign of leadership rather than what people perceive to be their culture’s backwardness.
“Patriotism is an institution of leadership, but not as sometimes people partake of it,” he said. “There is this feeling that probably a culture is some other thing that is a bit backward, but I have not seen it here today.”
Additionally, he said that what he saw on stage spoke about identity, development, and socialization. He also said that this kind of event had to occur every other year because it demonstrated what unites us.
It was also noted that recently, a number of parents in cities or towns have forgotten to teach their children where they come from.
To crown the event, the Vice Chancellor pledged Ug.shs.1,000,000 to the best exhibitor and awarded certificates of participation to all groups, lThe top two best exhibitors will receive cash prizes of Ug. Shs.1,500,000 for first place and Ug. Shs.500,000 for second place, respectively.
The Teso and Lango students’ association took home the cash prizes, as first and second positions respectively.
The leader of the Teso Students Association was interviewed, and he stated that they worked as a team by balancing the effort put into all the tasks they were given, rather than focusing on one thing in particular.
“Much as some people concentrated on only particular activities, we tried to balance our four activities, “he said.
Bridget Mugume, the Director of Students Affairs, stated that an awarding ceremony will be organized for the overall team for their efforts in emerging as the best group in the guild government’s gala.
