Use cultural competitions to explore students’ talent – Iganga schools told

Iganga, (UG): Schools in eastern Uganda’s Iganga District have been asked to promote several cultures in schools through cultural competitions to explore the talents of students and also gather confidence in identity and belonging.

The students who were taking part in the intercultural gala competition of Lubega Institute of Nursing and Health Professionals in Buseyi village, Nakalama Sub County were also tipped to love their origins by fostering unity and exhibiting love for their cultures.

These remarks were made on Friday, May 17, by the medical superintendent of Iganga General Hospital Mr Mugoya Dauda, the chief guest at the event who said a number of talents can be discovered through cultural activities and rallied people to support talented students to shape their future.

“I would like to thank all of you for standing out to protect and show that you exist in this community for this is a very good practice to defend your culture since it shows that you’re not ashamed of where you come from,” Mr Mugoya said as he encouraged students to also take cultural activities outside school.

Mr Mugoya later handed over a cash prize of shs1.5m to Basoga Nseete who won the competitions while the Nkoba Zambogo (Baganda) emerged second and moved away with shs500,000. The Bagwere were rewarded shs300,000 after taking the third position and other groups followed.

During the function, a number of students were identified in the activities which involved poetry, original composition, cultural dance, and solo, among others. The six groups that participated included; the Basoga (Basoga Nseete), Baganda (Nkoba Zambogo), Bagwere (Batakangana), Westerners, Samias and the Nilosa who were a combination of Itesots and the Northerners.

The principal of the Institute, Mr. Hanaba Benard challenged the participants to continue promoting their cultures wherever they go, adding that it may be a key for some of the students to access certain big offices. Mr. Hanaba however rallied the general public to attend the Institute’s 4th graduation ceremony come June 7, this year.

“When we talk about culture at Lubega Institute, we mean it because we embrace different cultural diversities. I take the honor to thank the students for practicing, preserving and observing their culture without feeling shy,” Mr. Hanaba said, committing the institute to continue organizing cultural galas.

The head of Intercultural competitions and also the Institute’s Clinical instructor Mr. Oneka Justine commended the groups for participating adding that, “this school promotes culture and people’s talents in a number of activities and students come out and exhibit talents beyond treating people.”

He was concerned with the best performance by various groups and commended the school administration in the stewardship of the CEO Prof. Dr Muhamadi Lubega Kisambira for supporting the field of culture and considering it as key to ensuring unity and harmony among the students.

The competitions were decided by a team of experienced Adjudicators like the Artistic Director of Nkwanzi troop, a cultural performing group in Jinja city Mr. Mulebeke Moses Andrew and a cultural singer Muzaale Geoffrey alias Geobless.