A team from Vision Group will be walking with pilgrims from Fort Portal Diocese up to Namugongo in commemoration of Martyrs Day.

Our team, which set off from Kampala on Sunday, May 22, arrived at Bukwali Catholic Parish in Fort Portal City at about 3:45 pm.

As our team arrived at Bukwali Parish Catholic Church in Fort Portal Catholic Diocese, it was welcomed by beautiful voices from choristers. The huge group standing in well-organized tents was rehearsing for the forthcoming Uganda Martyrs Day.

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choristers singing during the rehearsals. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

In February this year, the Uganda Episcopal Conference picked Mbarara Ecclesiastical Province, which in turn selected Fort Portal Diocese, to lead this year’s celebrations.

The team was welcomed at the church by Father Joseph Musana, the music director for the diocese.

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choristers singing during the rehearsals. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

The choir sang charmingly to the conductors’ rhythm. He swung his hands back and forth, moving his body from side to side while the choristers sang in sync with his directions.

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choristers singing during the rehearsals. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

After hours of energetic training, the choristers were given a break to get something in their stomachs and relax before they could get back to more rehearsing.

Anxiety and panic

 While in an interview with Father Musana, he said when they got the news that the diocese was leading this year’s celebrations, it created anxiety and panic.

Father Joseph Musana, the music director for the diocese. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

He said, “We started by organizing the choir. We allowed in 350 members who wanted to sing but ended up with 298 choristers after auditions.”

He said they started training at the end of March.

“The last two months have been for intensive training. We employed a number of music directors – we are also lucky to have St Paul's National Major Seminary – it has very polished music directors,” Musana elucidated.

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choir doing final touches at Bukwali Catholic Parish. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choir doing final touches at Bukwali Catholic Parish. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

He also added that they were working with an expert director, Herbert Muyomba from Kampala, who had trained a number of choirs and was privy to how everything was conducted in Namugongo.

The bar is set too high

On what is expected from them, Musana said the bar is too high “but, we are looking at a multi lingua liturgy. This celebration has a national and international character; we are looking at a number of languages; English, Kinyarwanda, Lingala, western Uganda languages and Luo languages are going to be part of what we are singing.”

Fort Portal Catholic Diocese choristers singing during the rehearsals. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

He noted that people are expectant and were ready to show what they got. “we sang 25 years ago, things have changed, but we are ready for it.

Choir at a good level

Deacon John Bosco Kabalu, one of the trainers said training the choir isn’t easy but it requires patience.

Deacon John Bosco Kabalu, one of the trainers. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

He noted that, in some dioceses, there are systems to help in preparing for such functions. However, they found it a bit challenging because they didn’t have a systematic music programme.

“We had to begin with auditions which were also challenging. The choir is at a good level now; we have had 12 weeks of practice,” he said.

Deacon John Bosco Kabalu swings his hands back and forth, moving his body from side to side while the choristers sang in sync with his directions. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

He added that they have found it interesting because the choristers have been positive towards the program, which has been helpful for them to reach the level they are now.

I feel very blessed

Daniella Nansiima, the youngest chorister and a student from St Maria Goretti Girls Senior Secondary School in Fort Portal, said she felt very blessed to be part of the choir.

A student drumming during the rehearsals. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

The 15-year-old who comes from Bundibugyo sings soprano in the choir. She expects to improve her signing after the choir experience.

Nansiima noted that she has been able to balance her studies and music. “My fellow students are very proud of me and have also asked me to teach them how to sing.”

The chief organist playing a keyboard piano. (Photo by Rogers Sunday)

She advised fellow students to go after their dreams regardless of what they are.

Nansiima will be part of the 298 choristers who will represent Fort Portal Diocese at this year’s Uganda Martyrs celebrations.