UK-born Baganda kids in Bika games

Sep 01, 2006

STILL with blank slates, the Baganda children living abroad, England in particular, were seen last weekend in search for the facts about their roots. The games saw the children and parents who came from Northern Ireland and Scotland, Wales actively taking part in some events unlike the case at home.

By Norman Miwambo

STILL with blank slates, the Baganda children living abroad, England in particular, were seen last weekend in search for the facts about their roots. The games saw the children and parents who came from Northern Ireland and Scotland, Wales actively taking part in some events unlike the case at home.

Unlike their counterparts who were born in Uganda, England-born Baganda children turned-up in big numbers for Bika Games at Newham Leisure Centre, East London.

Though children know little about their roots, such games seemed to have given them knowledge about their background.

“I belong to Mmamba, Ngonge, Ngeye, Ngabi, Nkima, Ngo, Lugave, Balangira and Ffumbe,” were beliefs among the teenagers, despite the fact that some didn’t know what a totem is!

Many who can hardly speak Luganda at least could not fail to mention their respective totems, thanks to Baganda leaders, Mpapula za Kakobe and Western Union who organised and sponsored the games..

The 13th edition of Bika Games brought together the Buganda subjects not only to compete, but also to teach the teenagers facts about their roots.

The children were excited to take part along with their parents in various competitions because their contributions earned some points towards their respective clans.

The most outstanding Ngabi-fielded, had six-year-old Huzaifah Lubega winning the 25 metres sprint, beating Stephen Ssekiziyivu and Moses Bukulu, both of the Mmamba clan.

In the seven-year-old category, Nakachwa Matovu was second in swimming and sprint.

Bukenya Junior, Michael Mutawe and Timothy Matovu played in the men’s five in a football game along-side their dad, former Bank of Uganda player Jimmy Bukenya, 47.

“Eeh, dad, you missed a penalty and I converted mine,” Mutawe told his dad when Ngabi lost a match against Nkima, which emerged winner of football.

Five-year-old Tusabe Kawooya of Ngeye out-sprinted Luzinda Pricilla (Mmamba) and Aliyah Lubeth Ngabi in the second and third places, respectively.

In the boys six-year category; Grimier Kigozi (Ffumbe) beat Daren Mugamba (Mmamba) and Ibra Ssegirinya.

At the same function, former Commonwealth champion and once world title boxing challenger, Justine Juuko, launched his DVD that contains all his previous bouts before he retired from active boxing for politics.
“I will give all my support to the organisers of this event, which brings together the entire Bazzukulu ba Nambi,” said Juuko, who made some demonstrations with young children.

Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi’s representative in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Joseph Nsambu Musisi, attended.

Also at the fuction were Prince Daudi Golooba and Jjaajja wa Buganda in the UK, Edith Nakazaana Mukasa, Uganda musician Paul Kafeero and his group.


The writer lives in England

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