Primary schools MDD festival showcases talent amid funding appeals

__________________

Teachers in charge of music, dance and drama (MDD) have urged the government, through the Ministry of Education, to allocate more funds to support MDD activities in schools.

Francis Kamugisha, an MDD teacher at Mbarara Junior School, expressed concern that the lack of sufficient funds has affected many schools, leaving them unable to participate in national events.

Mbarara Junior School team performing creative dance on day three of the National Primary Schools Music, Dance and Drama Festival hosted at Mbarara Junior School and Mbarara High School in Mbarara City. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Kamugisha told New Vision that schools operate on limited budgets, making it difficult to cover what he described as the high costs of instruments, trainers and transporting pupils for national competitions.

“MDD in schools helps the schools to have big enrolment because these talents entertain and they are very educative to the public and deserve to be supported,” Kamugisha added.

A total of 125 primary schools from different districts are participating in the ongoing National Primary Schools Music, Dance and Drama Festival, hosted at Mbarara Junior School and Mbarara High School in Mbarara city.

The event, organised under the theme “A Safe Learning Environment for Social Transformation”, was officially opened on August 25, 2025, by Francis Atima, the director of education standards, who represented Dr Kedres Turyagyenda, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education.

The teachers, however, commended the ministry for giving children a platform to showcase their talents through the annual National Primary Schools MDD Festival.

Sarah Karungi, head of the music department at Ibanda Kibubura Integrated Primary School, encouraged schools to invest more resources in MDD activities.

Mbarara Junior School team posing for a photo shortly after performing creative dance on day three of the National Primary Schools Music, Dance and Drama Festival hosted at Mbarara Junior School and Mbarara High School in Mbarara City. (Photo by Abdulkarim Ssengendo)

Samuel Odokonyero, a teacher at Kitgum Public Primary School, said the outcome of the festival benefits the children directly, stressing that allocation of resources to support learners is necessary.

He noted that some schools report late, while others arrive with limited items, which affects their performance at the national event.

Nimusiima Patricia, head girl of Ibanda Kibubura Integrated Primary School, and Beinomugisha Philip of Mbarara Junior School, praised the organisers of the festival, saying the competitions expose learners to world affairs.

Galabuzi Keilah, head girl of Mbarara Junior School, encouraged all pupils to join MDD clubs and called on the government to improve MDD facilities in schools.