Orishaba embraces culture and emotion at dazzling FISU 2025 opening ceremony

When the lights dimmed and the music pulsed through the Schauinsland-Reisen-Arena, Uganda’s Marvelous Orishaba didn’t just witness the start of the 2025 FISU World University Games, she felt every beat of it.

Before her 800-metre race, Orishaba was swept into a wave of emotion and awe during the Opening Ceremony, describing it as both stunning and euphoric.

“The opening ceremony exceeded my expectations and created an unforgettable moment in my heart,” she said.

Moved by the cultural performances, Orishaba felt deeply connected to her Ugandan roots. “The performances evoked my feelings from home and I remembered my culture,” she told Vision Sports.

The South African team

As a Ugandan flag bearer in the parade of nations, Orishaba shared the honor with long-distance runner and team captain Seth Akampa, table tennis representative Teddy Iryn Wotanabera, and Association of Uganda University Sports General Secretary Patrick Ssebuliba. In a crowd of over 8,000 student-athletes from more than 2,000 universities worldwide, Uganda’s vibrant presence was unmistakable.

Their attire captivated the audience—not only for its visual appeal but for the cultural pride it represented. Women wore elegant gomesi, while men donned white kanzu paired with black blazers, a striking emblem of unity and heritage.

The ceremony, rich in music, dance, spoken word, and storytelling, showcased a European production style with a global message: “sports and culture are inseparable.” For Orishaba, this message resonated deeply. “The rappers, musicians, and artists reminded me of how we tell our stories back home,” she reflected. “Not in this style or staging, but the essence is the same.”

Uganda is one of 22 African nations participating in this historic event, which has drawn over 20,000 spectators to the Rhine-Ruhr region, the largest student sports gathering ever hosted in Germany. Centered around the theme “United by Sports. Inspired by Culture,” the Games embrace both sustainability and global unity.

The emotional peak of the ceremony arrived when German Olympic icon Heide Ecker-Rosendahl carried the flame into the arena, passing it to six sporting legends who lit towering fire columns, symbolising the enduring spirit of legacy and youth.

Uganda’s quest for medals kicks off on Thursday, July 17, with mixed-team badminton matches and a full slate of swimming heats as athletes dive into competition, chasing personal bests and national pride.