Toro youth embrace culture promotion, preservation

School-going youth from the Toro region have embraced the promotion and preservation of their culture.

This follows the creation of various cultural heritage clubs in schools to nurture and promote a generation that values its culture.

The promotion and preservation of culture have in the interest of attracting more youth to embrace it been modernised.

Dancers perform the Orunyenge traditional dance. Photo by Rogers Sunday

Alice Basemera from the Koogere Cultural Foundation, says the modernisation of cultural promotion and preservation will help do away with some of the bad stereotypes that are associated with the promotion and preservation of culture.

According to Basemera, some youths have been shying away from practising and promoting their cultural practices for fear of being misinterpreted.

Through the school cultural heritage clubs, the first ever cultural and traditional fashion show was on Saturday staged in Fort Portal city.

A lady models backcloth wear. Photo by Rogers Sunday

Several traditional, creative and cultural wears were showcased by the youth at the first-ever cultural and traditional fashion show.

“We want to ensure the posterity of our good cultural practices by making sure that the young generation is given a platform to practice their culture and tradition other than always being exposed and copying Western cultures,” Basemera said.

Embracing culture

Tom Bright Amooti, the Member of Parliament for Kyaka Central in Kyegegwa district, appreciated Koogere Foundation for nurturing youth to love their culture and to preserve it.

Vianny Muhumuza (right) from Nyakasura School and Lucy Karungi from Kahinju Secondary School were crowned Mr and Miss Heritage Toro.

He happily noted that unlike before, youth have of late loved and practised old traditions, especially in fashion and, therefore, called for the support of Toro King to spread the message further.

Akugizibwe Feddy, a heritage club patron, called on various school administrators to include culture and heritage sessions in their school timetables.

“Just like we allocate time to teach science and arts subjects in class, we now also need to do the same for our culture,” Akugizibwe said.

At the event, Vianny Muhumuza from Nyakasura School and Lucy Karungi from Kahinju Secondary School were crowned Mr and Miss Heritage Toro for the year 2023/24, respectively.