Bakiga Nation Festival Brings ‘Nohiri Yeitu’ Spirit to Kampala

You do not often get a stomp that is groovy, unless you are witnessing a Mukiga in a celebratory dance. On Sunday, the ground at Millenium Park in Lugogo, Kampala was well prepared for the Kiga stomp dance, thanks for the rain that had softened it.

It was the host of the Bakiga Nation Festival.

Under the theme “Nohiri Yeitu” (Our Christmas) the event was less about spectacle and more about belonging. To kick start the celebrations, Pilsner Lager welcomed early arrivals with a complimentary beer.

Traditional drums of varying sizes and models were proudly displayed. But drums are never designed for display but to be played, and indeed a number of visitors could not resist beating them. It is here that strangers became kin.

A lady enjoying the drums

The cultural immersion continued through electrifying performances by the Kizino and Enanga cultural troupes, whose dances, chants and drum patterns captivated the audience.

Local dishes were sold throughout the grounds, with revellers seen happily moving around balancing silver plates, sampling flavours that carried the taste of home. Traditional local brew flowed generously, often served in gourds of different sizes, some small and others large with long handles, acting as the perfect throat opener.

The MCs ensured the energy never dipped. They hyped the audience, kept the crowd laughing, singing and fully engaged.

They were taking photos at the temporary cultural village that was set up during Bakiga Nation. Photo by Ignatius Kamya

Performances from T Paul, Florence Musiimenta and Lillian Nabassa stood out, with Nabassa in particular drawing loud sing-alongs as the crowd echoed her lyrics word for word. DJ Kelly’s mixes kept the tempo high between sets.

Sheebah Karungi closed the festival with a high-energy performance that justified her consistent presence at Bakiga Nation events. Addressing questions about why she frequently appears on their stage, organisers dismissed any notion of favouritism, explaining that the decision is purely based on her proven talent, infectious energy and unmatched ability to draw and excite large crowds.

“This is the Christmas of our childhood, the drums, the carols, the stories, the community. We have brought it to Kampala,” said Owen Katwesigye Bigombe, team lead at Bakiga Nation.