Bafumbira world gathering 3rd edition set for December

CULTURE

KAMPALA- The Bafumbira World gathering, which is now in its third edition is slated  for December 1 this year, at Uganda Museum, association President Edgar Niyimpa Mfite has said. Over 1,000 people are expected at the gathering dubbed "Bafumbira Fest".

The gathering that brings together sections of Bafumbira revellers mainly those ones living in Kampala is the celebration of culture, through local poetry, traditional sorghum drinks and brain teaser riddles.

"We are definitely going to celebrate our identity, togetherness and unity among other things exhibited. We shall also be celebrating our flagship project which is the Health Aging Initiative (HAI), that has seen several elderly in Kisoro get free health insurance services," said Mfite.

He added: "The event has been organised in partnership with many Bafumbira owned entities such as UgaBus, Ubuntu Palace and Mond Resort among others. In so gathering, we are promoting our people through networking."

The association was launched in May 2016, at an event that took place at Mitra Square Lugala and since then, HAI was also established after learning that several elderly people in Kisoro were faced with challenges of accessing quality medical services.

Kisoro has a population of over 10,000 elderly people.

Mfite told New Vision that the procedure for one to benefit depends on the level of individuals' vulnerability.

"Of the over 10,000 elderly there are those who are pensioners, others are still in active employment, we also have those who are from well-to-do families, so for us, we are looking at that vulnerable percentage of elderly population," he explained.

The initiative has seen people collect money together to ensure provision of quality health services to elderly population.