Prime
Busoga region comes top in cultural performers gala
Dancers during the gala. The representatives from Busoga were leagues ahead of the other competitors. PHOTO BY ABUBAKER LUBOWA
What you need to know:
Although there were few groups at the gala, the winners gave other groups the necessary encouragement to participate in later editions.
Employing intricate and suave traditional dance moves like Tamena Ibuga and Nalufuka, Muwewesi Xylophone Cultural Group from Iganga proved to be the best among the handful of the traditional groups in the Senator Cultural Galas finale.
Accordingly, the group representing Busoga region emerged winners with 353 points, 15 points ahead of second place Asiimwe MDD from Masindi (Bunyoro). Muwewesi attracted wild cheers from the enthusiastic crowd as they twirled and swirled their torsos at great speed.
The sound of the drum from all the regions of Uganda – cutting across all Ugandan cultures – could be heard kilometres away from the venue, Fort Portal Taxi Parking Yard.
A resounding ululation filled the air as the Katikiro of Buganda Eng. J. B. Walusimbi, flanked by Uganda Breweries Managing Director, Alasdair Musselwhite handed over a cheque valued at Shs6million to the winners.
Asiimwe MDD took home Shs3,000,000 for finishing first runners-up while Ngoma Cultural Troupe from Mbale came third and received Shs2,000,000. Each of the remaining seven groups got Shs500,000 for making it to the finals.
Royalty represented
The two-day cultural ceremony also attracted a couple of traditional rulers including the Prime Minister of Toro kingdom Princess Elizabeth Bagaya, who represented Omukama Oyo and the Prime Minister of Bunyoro Kingdom who stood in for His Majesty King Solomon Gafabusa Iguru.
In his welcome address delivered by his prime minister, Omukama Oyo commended the cultural galas as a veritable platform to show the world how Ugandans are proud of their cultures. He expressed pleasure and gratitude for the choice of Fort Portal as venue for the national finals.
“We are happy to play host to this important ceremony in which we are witnessing a showcase of cultural diversity through music dance and drama,” read a statement from the youthful king. “I particularly applaud the initiative for promoting the country’s’ diverse cultural dances and music. I urge us all to preserve this practice for posterity.”
Musselwhite said the event is one of the biggest festivals on the African continent, running for three months across the country adding that its principal aim is to promote Uganda’s diverse cultures that have made Uganda a unique tourist destination.
Uganda was named by Lonely Planet as the best tourist destination for 2012 and community tourism, which includes traditional performance, is one of the major attractions for the visitors.
