Nearly 20 years on, Ekisaakaate still going strong
Nnabagereka of Buganda (Queen Consort), Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, in a group photo with the children who participated at the launch of 20th edition of Ekisaakaate at Bulange-Mengo on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. (Photos by Juliet Anna Lukwago)
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Since its inception in 2007, Ekisaakaate — an annual cultural and moral values holiday camp — has mentored thousands of children.
The 20th edition of the programme launched this week at Bulange Mengo by the Nnabagereka of Buganda (Queen Consort), Sylvia Nagginda Luswata, will be hosted at Gayaza Junior School, Jjungo in Wakiso district.
Held every year and targeting six to 18-year-olds, the traditional Buganda cultural camp is aimed at instilling moral values, discipline, leadership, and cultural heritage in young people.
At the heart of the programme are life skills, physical fitness, and cultural education.
Ekisaakaate means 'enclosure', in reference to ancient royal training grounds, which now serves children — both boys and girls — from diverse backgrounds.
The reasoning behind the training is that, especially in today’s modern society, many parents do not spend enough time with their children to educate them on their culture.
The Nnabagereka thanked Hormisdallen Schools for the responsibility entrusted to them.
Buganda ministers, members of the Nnabagereka Development Fund and officials from Gayaza Junior School were present at the colourful event.
The next programme will take place from January 5 until January 16 under the theme 'Rooted in Obuntubulamu, Building Tomorrow Today'.
'Leaders of tomorrow'
In ancient Buganda times, Ekisaakaate provided a platform for knowledge transfer, especially through apprenticeship with skilled professionals, which included craftsmanship, such as pottery, blacksmithing and hunting skills.
Children entertaining guests during the launch of 20th edition of Ekisaakaate at Bulange-Mengo on Tuesday August 4, 2026.
During the camp, the young participants are trained according to their age brackets.
The programme is conducted both in Uganda and abroad at times of the year.
“We have thousands of Naliyo (those who participated before), and most of them are now responsible people in the country," said Nagginda.
"I want to thank the school directors who have hosted Ekisaakaate since it started 19 years back and, in some schools, we went there twice. Thank you, schools, for opening your gates to us.
"I want to thank all the trainers we started with; some left, and others are still with us. And also to appreciate all our sponsors. Their work is a very big pillar in this journey of 20 years."
The Queen Consort added: “Today, as we look forward to 20 years next year, we promise to continue to take this programme ahead, and in our plans is to build our centre, which will continue to help us to take this programme ahead to train the leaders of tomorrow.”
She also thanked parents for "trusting us with your children".
Coltilda Nakate Kikomeko, the minister of social services in the office of Nnabagereka, said Ekisaakate is crucial in efforts to elevate Buganda, focusing on five core pillars, including preserving and safeguarding the throne.
“We thank God for all these years of Ekisaakaate. Every time we reach a birthday, we celebrate," she said.
"We thank the schools which helped us to host it. I am happy that when I was still in Nabbingo, I also got a chance to host it. I remember as an organizer, it was not simple. So, let's join our hands to assist Maama Nnabagereka in this work she is doing.”