A Uganda, Europe affair
May 08, 2007
IT set out as an inter-cultural celebration between Europeans and Ugandas. In the end, it was a festivity beyond Europe and Africa. The Holland-based band, with roots in the Caribbean, turned the whole event into something akin to a Brazilian carnival. Their renditions of the popular Samba hits were
By Alex Balimwikungu
and Emma Ssejjengo
IT set out as an inter-cultural celebration between Europeans and Ugandas. In the end, it was a festivity beyond Europe and Africa. The Holland-based band, with roots in the Caribbean, turned the whole event into something akin to a Brazilian carnival. Their renditions of the popular Samba hits were the highlight. Ugandans and their European counterparts were united on the dance floor, trying to imitate the South American dance, albeit to no perfection.
Opposition leader in Parliament Ogenga Latigo’s calypso imitations, when Sarah Zawedde hit the stage ‘threatened’ to ‘hijack’ the euphoria the samba dance had earlier caused.
Artistes Iryn Namubiru, Qute Kaye, Prisicilla Kalibala and Angela Katatumba stirred the party mood with their performances especially when Namubiru got onto the stage with kids of barely six years dancing along. The traditional groups from the different regions were a marvel.
The only deluded lot at the Kyaddondo Rugby grounds, were a big group from down town Kampala, who, acting on a false tip, stormed the extravaganza, at the different exhibition tents, asking for visas to Europe.
As the day’s theme, “Together in diversity†aptly underscored the spirit of last Sunday’s intercultural celebration in several ways. And as an intrinsic part of any culture, the visual arts were ably represented. Interestingly, the “smaller tents†that housed tribes like the Karimojong were the busier ones. A pulsating soccer duel had earlier seen Belgium edge Denmark in spot kicks.
and Emma Ssejjengo
IT set out as an inter-cultural celebration between Europeans and Ugandas. In the end, it was a festivity beyond Europe and Africa. The Holland-based band, with roots in the Caribbean, turned the whole event into something akin to a Brazilian carnival. Their renditions of the popular Samba hits were the highlight. Ugandans and their European counterparts were united on the dance floor, trying to imitate the South American dance, albeit to no perfection.
Opposition leader in Parliament Ogenga Latigo’s calypso imitations, when Sarah Zawedde hit the stage ‘threatened’ to ‘hijack’ the euphoria the samba dance had earlier caused.
Artistes Iryn Namubiru, Qute Kaye, Prisicilla Kalibala and Angela Katatumba stirred the party mood with their performances especially when Namubiru got onto the stage with kids of barely six years dancing along. The traditional groups from the different regions were a marvel.
The only deluded lot at the Kyaddondo Rugby grounds, were a big group from down town Kampala, who, acting on a false tip, stormed the extravaganza, at the different exhibition tents, asking for visas to Europe.
As the day’s theme, “Together in diversity†aptly underscored the spirit of last Sunday’s intercultural celebration in several ways. And as an intrinsic part of any culture, the visual arts were ably represented. Interestingly, the “smaller tents†that housed tribes like the Karimojong were the busier ones. A pulsating soccer duel had earlier seen Belgium edge Denmark in spot kicks.