Drama competition thrills Arua Diocese

Thousands of Christians in Ediofe Deanery gathered to witness the Annual Arua Diocese choir music, dance and drama festival that ended on Tuesday at Ediofe Girl's Secondary School, Arua.  

The two-day event started on Monday and thrilled Christians on Tuesday with 15 choir groups drawn from five Catholic parishes under Ediofe Deanery.  

People who turned up for the festival where treated to educative message exhibited by youths through music, drama and poem. Under the theme ‘Dangers of Early Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Adolescents', the youth educated fellow youth to take precaution. 

Jacinto Yoti the adjudicator commended the Catholic Church for such wonderful event that brought the youth together. He said most youth have forgotten skills like playing local instruments, but such music festivals help revive the skills.

He appealed to stakeholders in Arua to promote music dance and drama among the youth who have forgotten the cultural values.

Fr Joel Ayiko one of the executive members of the Ediofe vicariate music committee applauded the choir groups for the wonderful discipline exhibited in the events, calling for more support from stakeholders.

Holy Trinity Choir Ragem singing using Andungu, a traditional instrument. Photo By John Paul Opio

Paul Atayo the chairperson of the Ediofe Deanery Choir Association commended the choir groups that emerged successful with five groups going to represent Ediofe Deanery in the vicariate level to show their skills.

He appealed to the Church leaders and government entities to fully support such organised youth groups, through financial assistance and encourage the youth groups in reviving and promoting cultural values.

The choir groups that will represent Ediofe Deanery at the vicariate level festival are Holy Trinity Choir Asava, Uganda Martyrs Onzivu, Virgin Mary Onduparaka, St. Peters Urugbo and Andrew Kaggwa Jiako.

Fr Ajionzi Nazareno the chairperson Ediofe vicariate music subcommittee called for unity from each of the choir groups in the diocese in the forthcoming festival.

He urged the youth in the diocese to emulate and follow events that will propel development in the diocese and the district and stop being idle.

Ediofe vicariate music sub-committee operates under the office of pastoral coordinator with the mandate of improving liturgy through music, promoting good Christian values in the growth and development of Christians.

It also helps promote local instruments through music and drama to build the capacity of choir leaders and Christians in the diocese.

The 2018/19 festival came up with 21 songs in the competition as well as drama scripts and poems.

The annual Ediofe vicariate music dance and drama music festival is expected to be concluded later in January at Ojje Chapel in Adumi Catholic parish.

The next stage will attract choir groups from Arua diocese and other choir groups from Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Kampala Lugbara community Kaluca.