Connect with us

Humanities & Social Sciences

The Makorale Choir wins, “Ekitiibwa kya Buganda” Singing Contest

Published

2 years ago

on

The Makorale Choir performs during the Makerere@100 Grand Finale Celebrations held on 6th October 2022 at the Freedom Square, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda.
The Makorale Choir performs during the Makerere@100 Grand Finale Celebrations held on 6th October 2022 at the Freedom Square, Makerere University.

By Dr. Milton Wabyona

In 2022, the “Ganda Boys” – a UK-based African fusion band embarked on a campaign to popularize the Buganda Kingdom anthem: “Ekitiibwa kya Buganda” across all the five continents of the world. This project involved several professional ensembles, armature choirs and orchestras in different countries performing the Buganda anthem in Luganda.

The second phase of the campaign was conducted in Uganda with a call for choirs and individuals to submit their videos singing the anthem for purposes of auditioning musicians who would join the final global ensemble that will perform and record the anthem in Europe. As the campaigned gained steam, Prince Nicholas Basamula also joined the drive by staking in a 10 million Ugandan shillings for the winner. The decision was arrived at by the video that received the greatest number of views by the general public on the listed social media channels. After about two months of the campaign, the Makorale – a Makerere University Community Choir of students, alumni and staff emerged the winner with over fifty thousand views.

On April 30, 2023 at 2:30PM, His royal highness Prince Basamula handed over the cash prize in a special event held at the Kampala Serena Hotel and organized by the Ganda Boys band. In his speech, the prince underscored the value in the Buganda anthem in portraying the culture, heritage and customs of the people of Buganda. He further singled out the last stanza, which is a prayer of dedication for the Kingdom and the Kabaka of Buganda to the Almighty God. Whenever this stanza is sang, means you have prayed for Buganda and her people, said the prince. He therefore thanked the Makorale choir and all those who participated in this contest for not only competing but also, praying for Buganda.

On his part, Dr. Milton Wabyona, the director of the Makorale choir, thanked the prince for supporting the cause with his generous prize, which further enriched the campaign. He also thanked the Ganda Boys for choosing to promote Buganda’s heritage throughout the world using music. In re-emphasizing the power of music in community engagement causes, Dr. Wabyona commended the Ganda Boys’ for this initiative, which closely resonates with the Makorale’s aim of using music as a focused tool for community engagement and support. The choir’s strategic objective is to harness the vast benefits of music in maintaining traditional cultural values in developing an ideal citizen, hence shaping a peaceful society. Beyond providing professional music training to its participants, the Makorale choir also aims to establish a music scholarship foundation for students in Makerere University.

Mak Editor

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

General

Diploma in Performing Arts Admission List 2025/26

Published

1 week ago

on

July 4, 2025

By

The Office of Academic Registrar, Makerere University has released the admission list of candidates who passed the special entry examinations for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025

The following have been admitted by the University’s Admissions Committee on Private Sponsorship for the 2025/26 Academic Year

Mak-Admission-DIPLOMA-IN-PERFORMING-ARTS-PRIVATE-2025-2026-AYDownload

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

General

Special Exam Results -Diploma in Performing Arts 2025/26

Published

2 weeks ago

on

June 28, 2025

By

The results for the 2025/2026 special entry examination for the Diploma in Performing Arts held on Saturday 17th May, 2025. Candidates who scored a final mark of 50% and above passed the Examination and have been recommended to the university’s Admissions Committee for consideration.

Diploma-Performing-Arts-2025-2026Download

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Humanities & Social Sciences

CHUSS Graduate Symposium Showcases Research and Fosters Collaboration

Published

3 weeks ago

on

June 20, 2025

By

Some of the PhD Students in the audience. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) 2025 Graduate Symposium, Day 2, 20th June 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.

By Atwenda Nancy. E

Makerere University, June 20, 2025 — The College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) is holding its 2025 Graduate Symposium from June 19 – 21, 2025, bringing together scholars, mentors, and graduate students in a spirited exchange of ideas, research, and academic collaboration.

The symposium, hosted at Makerere University, has provided a dynamic platform for PhD students to present their ongoing research, while also strengthening ties with sister universities and celebrating the achievements of the CHUSS Graduate School in nurturing the next generation of scholars.

Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi delivers the keynoted address. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) 2025 Graduate Symposium, Day 2, 20th June 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi delivers the keynoted address.

In his keynote address, Dr. Edgar Fred Nabutanyi welcomed participants and acknowledged the contributions of speakers from the previous day’s sessions, including Prof. Eric Awich Ochen (Deputy Principal, CHUSS), Dr. Peter Wekesa, and Dr. Zaid Sekito, among others. He emphasized that the symposium was not just a showcase of academic work, but a strategic platform to build partnerships and attract research funding.

“Generations must prepare for the next generation,” Dr. Nabutanyi noted, reflecting on life after PhD and the evolving role of Makerere University as a research-intensive institution. He praised department heads for their role in ensuring timely completion of graduate programmes and reiterated the college’s commitment to research excellence.

Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi delivers the Vice Chancellor's remarks. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) 2025 Graduate Symposium, Day 2, 20th June 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi delivers the Vice Chancellor’s remarks.

The event was officially opened by Prof. Buyinza Mukadasi, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe. In his remarks, Prof. Buyinza highlighted the importance of research that is impactful and relevant to society.

“Research is unimportant unless it is relevant,” he stated. “If one conducts research that doesn’t benefit society, it becomes a waste of resources.” He urged graduate students to approach their academic work with purpose, noting that Makerere is not a “PhD factory” but a hub for innovation, with over 300 active PhD students registered.

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala addresses the symposium. College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS) 2025 Graduate Symposium, Day 2, 20th June 2025, Main Hall, Main Building, Makerere University, Kampala Uganda, East Africa.
Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala addresses the symposium.

Prof. Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Principal of CHUSS, underscored the College’s intentional approach to graduate success. “You are in the mind of an excellent mind,” she said, encouraging students to continue striving for excellence and leadership in their respective fields. The 2025 CHUSS Graduate Symposium served as both a celebration of academic progress and a call to action for scholars to engage in meaningful research that addresses the needs of communities and contributes to national and global development.

The Writer is an Intern in the Public Relations Office, Makerere University

Mak Editor

Continue Reading

Trending