Bobi Wine, Kadaga to headline cultural festival

PIC: Part of the team organizing the cultural fair led by former presidential assistant Sarah Kagingo (middle) at the event's unveiling. (Credit: Michael Kanaabi)

CULTURE | UGANDA MUSEUM

The second Uganda International Cultural Fair will take place starting this Friday (July 28) through to July 30 at the Uganda Museum in Kampala. 

The fair whose theme this year will be ‘Cultures empowering each other' will feature a number of activities that will keep guests and participants entertained and enlightened throughout the three days.

Cultural dances, native foods from all across the country and dressing from all of Uganda's tribes and cultures will be on show throughout the three day event.

In addition local brews from across the country in the likes of omuramba, tonto, kwete, malwa, lira lira, ajono, mwenge bigere, entulire will also be in plenty as the event is about showcasing the country's diversity in heritage.

It will kick off with a panel discussion focusing on using culture to empower the youth through tapping economic opportunites in the sector on Friday morning. 

This segment will have man of the moment and newly elected Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) as one of the key discussants sharing his experience highlighting how he blended music and culture to propel him to the top.

Other key panelists here will be State Minister for Tourism Godfrey Kiwanda and Peace Mutuzo, who is the State Minister for Gender and Culture.

A quiz for students and pupils at the museum will also take place on the same day focusing on Uganda's diverse cultures of Uganda with prizes awarded by CAA one of the co-sponsors to the winning teams and schools.

MP Robert Kyagulanyi will be part of the fair. (Credit: Tony Rujuta)

The Uganda Museum grounds will then open up to a massive exhibition of culture that will include clothes, food, shoes, drinks and other cultural regalia that will be on sale.

About 300 exhibitors with individual stalls are going to take part in this event that is targeting both local and international visitors. This will later turn into music galore with lots of performances from cultural groups all across the country starting later that evening.

Saturday will be about the visitors both local and international coming in to enjoy what is on exhibition in the nation's art and culture, lots of entertainment and a camp fire where the history of our tribes, cultures and norms will be spelt out clearly by elders and researchers from various regions of the country.

A group of traditional Indian dancers will also be flown in by the Indian High Commission to entertain guests with some Indian dance and music.

The event closes on Sunday with an awards ceremony in the afternoon conducted by Hon. Rebecca Kadaga the Speaker of Parliament and categories of winners will include the best dressed couple in cultural attire, the best exhibitor among the exhibitors to mention  but a few.

Kenya Airways will also give out airtickets to some the winners to destinations of their choice across the continent.

Entrance is sh5000 for adults and sh2000 for both students and children making it accessible to all people from all walks of life to come and join the celebration and appreciation of our nation's diverse cultures.  

A number of partners have come together to make this happen including the Uganda Tourism Board, KCCA, the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya Airways, Harris International to mention but a few.