Students in tertiary institutions have been asked to use cultural associations to cause unity and learning of good practices.

Lucy Acio, the matron of the Lango Students’ Association (LASA) at Kaberamaido Technical Institute in Kaberamaido district, made the call on Saturday during a cultural gala at the institute.

“As you celebrate the different cultures, never forget to have the spirit of unity with others. We should use culture to allow us to be united with others,” Acio said.

She also said cultural associations should not be used to stop a student of a particular tribe from helping one another in times of need. Instead, she urged the associations to drive interest in education among members.

The institute has four cultural associations: LASA which unites those from Lango, Acholi, Alur, and other tribes from Northern Uganda; Bantu Students Association (BASDA) which unites all Bantu-speaking tribes, Teso Students Association (TESDA) for the Iteso and Kumam Ribere Students’ Association (KURSA).

One of the student cultural group ready to perform at Kaberamaido Technical Institute

The function was graced by Amolatar Resident District Commissioner Francis Odoki Okello, Kumam Cultural Heritage (KUCH) minister of culture, ethics, and integrity the Rev. Elijah Eyimu, and his deputy, Joseph Amuli.

Odoki said culture is important in shaping the young generations and the social economic fabric or moral uprightness of a society.

According to him, it is time for the revival of culture because of the immorality that has started permeating society.

Eyimu said it was good to see institutions allowing young generations to practice and exercise their cultures because they create identity.

He said the institute needed to strengthen the cultural groups since the students get to learn from each other and appreciate the different tribes.

Meanwhile, chief guest educationist John Rember Okello said culture is what identifies a person: “Whether you come from America or Australia, our African culture remains our identity. We have to be proud of our culture”.

James Okure who is the patron of TESDA said having the cultural gala was a way of bringing students together such that they could appreciate diversity.

He said it would be bad to have students leaving the institute without learning about the different cultures in the country.