The Annual Arts and Culture Festival at the National Theatre over the weekend reflected who we are – Ugandans. It was an entertaining representation of Uganda’s cultural diversity.
From theatrical performances in the auditorium to the main stage, traditional dances, fashion, and live music, the festival simply thrilled.
Designers including Erica, Fahad, Mahinda and others took us back to the days when we only had backcloth and leaves for clothing.
Tribes like the Basoga, Baganda, Ankole, Akyoli, Banyoro, Bakonjo and others were represented really well.
Leila Kalanzi is known for her verbal stubbornness. Had I not seen her mime It’s all coming back to me now by Celine Dion no gossiper would have convinced me that she could get that emotional. Her performance gave me goosebumps. Her emotional portrayal of a woman who had lost the man she so much loved wouldn’t get any better.
Away from the auditorium, the main stage had variety. When did you last see Angela Kalule or Jamal perform? Kenneth Mugabi, one artiste who knows how to engage his audience during a performance was also there. If you have ever seen him perform and you weren’t at this festival, you missed to sing along to Naki, one of his sensational hits.
Had you seen Giovani Kiyingi, the undercover brothers, Lilly Kadima, Suzan Kerunen, Sammy Kalule and others, you would agree that music played with home instruments truly defines Uganda.
