The 2017-2018 Annual Cultural Gala was held on Sunday 29th October, 2017 in the ever green University Hall Quadrangle.  Organised by the Dean of Students, Mr. Cyriaco  M. Kabagambe and the Makerere University Students’ Guild,  the major aim of the cultural gala is instilling love for our culture and identity while appreciating our rich cultural diversity.

Twenty student associations participated in the highly competitive Makerere University Annual Cultural Gala. The Baganda Nkobazambogo Makerere University Students Association emerged winner, beating the nearest rivals Bunyoro Kitara Makerere University Students Association, and Kasese Makerere Students Association came third.

The two-day competitions conducted on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th October 2017 attracted many students and well wishers from the nearby places, with some coming as early as 8:00am. The performances on each day started at 9:00am. On the first day, the presentations focused on four items namely; Makerere University Anthem, East African Anthem, Cultural Anthem and Original Composition while the presentation of drama, poetry, African solo and dance was done on the second day.

A team of six highly experienced and neutral adjudicators was carefully selected to ensure impartiality and objectivity. These included Mr. Kabunga Robert, Mr. John Paul Omunya, Ms. Rebecca Namakula, Mr. Bora Nobert, Ms. Amayo Hope and another, who preferred anonymity.

Before announcing the results, the adjudicators talked to students, applauding performers and highlighted several recommendations.

According to the results announced at 8:10 pm by adjudicator Ms. Rebecca Namakula, the Baganda Nkobazambogo students scored 651 points, followed by Bunyoro Kitara students with 635 points while those from Kasese came in the third position with 627 points.

Before announcing the results, Ms Namakula commended the participants for the high level of commitment throughout the rehearsals and for dedicating time to writing scripts.

Ms Namakula reiterated that the only languages considered during the competitions where local languages and Kiswahili. “We had a problem where some of you used English, and after switched back to local languages," she remarked.

Speaking at the same event, Ms Amayo Hope, who was also an adjudicator, faulted presenters for ignoring the composition of poems that portray how strikes can be done away with at Makerere University.

“Strikes are a big challenge to this University and poems were supposed to focus on how this can be addressed," asserted Amayo, while speaking to students who had convened at the University Hall grounds to hear the results.

She advised the performers, to avoid too much violence in their performances, as it could lead to provocations and fights.

The overjoyed Dean of Students, Mr. Kabagambe thanked the performers for treasuring their cultures.  With the successful conclusion of the Students Cultural Gala, the Dean of Students reminded the students to concentrate on their studies since the examination time tables had been displayed in the respective colleges.

In an exclusive interview, the Senior Public Relations Officer of Makerere University, Ms Ritah Namisango remarked that the Makerere University Students’ Cultural Gala was a true representation of the rich Ugandan culture. She was happy to note that the competitions brought together students from various parts of Uganda.

Some of the Cultural Associations that participated included;  The Adhola University Students Association (AUSA) consisting of the Japadhola students, Acholi MAK students Association (AMSA),  and Lango Students Association (LASA) among others.

Written by: MAK Public Relations Office