Scouts perform mock competitions at Nabugabo

MASAKA - The Ugandan scouts who were blocked from traveling to Burundi to take part in the Africa Regional scouting competitions found solace at Nabugabo Sand Beach in Masaka, where they performed mock competitions.

Stephen Batwingwire, the national deputy commissioner of the Uganda Scouts Association (USA) said competitions gave hope to the children and it was a consolation after the Burundian government blocked the over 309 scouts from proceeding to take part in the regional competitions in Gitega, Burundi.

Bitwingwire said they all tried their level best to negotiate their entry including involving Uganda's mission in Burundi but in vain and decided to camp at Nabugabo.

 
The excited scouts setup their tents at the Sand Beach for two days in what the organisers dubbed the ‘The East Africa Challenge Camp', danced and were served good food, a move done to ‘clear their stress' after spending several nights in the cold. 

Deus Twinomugisha, who acted as the camp commandant told journalists that they approached Herman Kasozi, the owner of Nabugabo Sand Beach who offered for free his camping grounds for the children.

The children were entertained to a disco dance, allowed to swim. They also participated in ‘Flag-breaking' ceremony and singing of the Uganda and East Africa anthems, parade that included the band, brain trust (quiz according to the different age brackets), display of traditional music, dance and drama.

 
Other activities were football, netball, volley ball, skits (short plays), poems and songs

"The display of some of the activities here was part of what we had prepared to take part in during the competitions in Burundi," Twinomugisha stated.

Teachers cursed the move to block Uganda saying it hurt the competitors most because they had won the zonal competitions twice in a row and were looking forward to winning the trophy for keeps.

 
"But at last our children have been able to enjoy their stay here, the place is comfortable, secure, has enough paly ground, water for swimming and other things," he said.

Richard Okello, the overall contingent leader said, camping at Nabugabo was a consolation and intended to calm down the tampers of the children who ‘suffered' and never reached their destination.

Uganda was the chair of the zonal competitions and was supposed to provide the band, judges and guest of honor.

The country is also preparing to host the Africa zonal jamboree at Kaazi in 2020.