Bukedde celebrates 25th anniversary

Aug 29, 2019

For a quarter of a century now, the Bukedde media brand, a vital component of the Vision Group multi-media establishment, has grown by leaps and bound.

Bukedde newspaper turns 25!

By Joseph Kizza

Uganda's leading vernacular daily, Bukedde, has celebrated 25 years of existence with a service at the Vision Group head office in Kampala on Thursday.

The newspaper is the oldest of all the Bukedde media brand platforms. Last year, on August 28, Bukedde Radio marked 10 years while on October 29 this year, Bukedde TV will celebrate its 10th anniversary. The Bukedde website has been running for 17 years now.

For a quarter of a century now, the brand, a vital component of the Vision Group multi-media establishment, has definitely grown by leaps and bound.

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On Thursday, you could sense a mood of celebratory eagerness at the Vision Group head office where the function would, of course, be held. But first, before the service, the Vision Group fraternity got immersed in a sea of pure entertainment.

The vibrant performers, oozing so much life and admirable vim, twisted and gyrated their bodies with so much ease and efficiency as the enticing percussion of drums and clattering calabashes filled the air.

This was in the build-up to the service, which was to be led by retired Bishop of Mityana diocese, Dr. George Ssenabulya.

All was set for the function, with the likes of the sharply dressed Siraje Kizito and Michael Ssebowa affording themselves a moment for a chat.

Meanwhile, the spritely entertainers did more than enough to draw the interest of staff, who inched closer to the makeshift stage to relish the ebullient show unfolding before them.

One of those who could not resist the tingly urge to pull out their phone to freeze the positive energy around them was renowned comedian, presenter and voice-over artist Godfrey Seguya.

Many of you know him as Kayibanda.

The beautifully ornated dancers made dancing look easy.

High above, the weather was kind. Down below, Vision Group's head of vernacular papers (under which Bukedde falls), Godfrey Kulubya (right), engaged with his fellow staff as they awaited the start of the service.

Yes, she is graceful dancing personified.

So, you could be wondering. 'Why the name Bukedde?'

In her commentary published in today's New Vision newspaper, Vision Group's Editor-in-Chief Barbara Kaija offers an explanation for this:

At the inception of the newspaper in 1994, the public was asked to suggest a name for the new Luganda newspaper that was about to start. The project team received a number of proposals, but the winning proposal was the name Bukedde (meaning 'a new dawn'). Mrs. Rebecca Wamala, the wife of legendary Ugandan musician, Elly Wamala, suggested the name.

Now you know.

Under the huge expertly decorated tent, some of Vision Group's top brass were punctual for the service.

Managing editor for English papers, Ben Opolot (left) sat next to KCCA's Peter Kaujju (middle), who had a chat with David Mukholi, the managing editor in charge of content.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes, main celebrant Dr. George Ssenabulya was being welcomed to Vision Group, with a brief meeting first in the CEO's boardroom.

In her commentary, Editor-in-Chief Barbara Kaija says:

Writing preserves a language, a culture and a people and this is what Bukedde has achieved for Luganda. Every single day, for the last 25 years, Bukedde has published at least 40,000 words in each issue of the newspaper. This has been boosted by the weekly Luganda literature columns published in Bukedde ku Sunday called Yiga Oluganda (Learn Luganda).

In addition, we have published a number of books including Ekitiibwa kya Buganda, Paapa Francis and Mutebi Kabaka Wange. Bukedde has indeed boosted literacy levels and kept the written Luganda language alive.

Smartly dressed guests were warmly received by Vision Group's deputy managing director Gervase Ndyanabo and co.

It was a day of celebration.

Barbara Kaija warmly received former Buganda Katikkiro Joseph Mulwanyamuli Ssemwogerere, the chief guest of Bukedde newspaper's 25th anniversary function.