KAMPALA – If you have a knack for anything charitable – littered with culture, food, fun and entertainment, then mark your calendars already! Your ‘cultural event of the year’ takes its wheels to Western Uganda!
The Seventh Edition of the highly anticipated Bakiga Nation will take the shockwave to Kabale and Rukungiri with a climax event on Saturday, April 20 at Rose Gardens in Rwakaraba, Kabale.
Dubbed ‘Rukundo Egumeho Pasika’, this year’s edition will feature a charity road trip to Rukungiri as the Bakiga Nation Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program renovates Buhandagazi Primary School in Buyanja in the South Western district of Rukungiri.
YESTERDAY: Chimpanzees go crazy at Primate Lodge, Kibale Forest National Park. This might have been a raid from @BakigaNation@UgandaLodges @SafarisUganda #RukundoEgumeho19 pic.twitter.com/4NPuFycZxl
— The Ugandan Tourist (@AhaJonathan) April 13, 2019
Speaking on phone with our reporter, Owen Bigombe, team leader at Bakiga Nation revealed that there will be a change as they unveil the Literacy and culture initiative littered with lots of fun, entertainment and food
“Every year, Bakiga Nation, under the Rukundo Egumeho CSR program, takes on a project to create a difference in our society. The Buyanja project inaugurates the Literacy and culture initiative to furnish and renovate the family-owned- Buhandagazi Primary School to elevate its status to a standard education facility,” said Bigombe.
While Uganda has made important strides in extending primary education since UPE introduced in 1997, dropout rates remain high; with one of the resonating from in poor learning environment.
He added:
“The activities for the Buyanja project are courtesy of proceeds from the sixth edition of Bakiga nation held Sunday, December 9, 2018, at UMA Showgrounds, Lugogo”
He further revealed that the organisation has organized other projects citing:
- the Seed of Hope women and children initiative in Bunyonyi Island in South Western Uganda provided clothing and seedlings (2016)
- Graceville Home of Girls – Home to vulnerable girls; giving shelter to 25 -40 of them (2016)
- Led a fundraiser for Baby Keyla for her treatment in India (2017)
- Uganda for Bunyonyi Kids campaign to provide the children that cross the lake (Bunyonyi) to school every with about 1,500 lifejackets from various stakeholders in the tourism sector. (2017)
“From your generous support during the RukundoEgumeho 6th Edition in December last year, proceeds from that event – Bakiga Nation through its Rukundo Egumeho CSR program – will refurbish and renovate Buhandagazi Primary School in Buyanja, Rukungiri district” reads an official statement on their social media page.
Voted the “cultural event of the Year” at the just concluded Ekkula Pearl of Africa Tourism Awards, Bakiga Nation continues to row its boat in culture and charity barely six years since its inception.
“…. if you told us five years ago when we started, that we would make five years and even win awards, we would have perhaps said it’s a dream, Thank You very much…, Mwebare munonga, Rukundo Egumeho,” said Bigombe on accepting the accolade.
About the Easter edition:
Proudly sponsored by Peps (Crown Beverages), the Pasika Edition is featuring a charity road trip, silent disco and event.
Enthusiasts coming from Kampala will part away with UGX200,000 for Singles and UGX300,000 for two people/couples. This covers transport, Lunch and accommodation for 3Days, 2nights to Rukungiri, Kabale and Bunyonyi. Set-off is Friday, April 19, 2019.
This will climax with Rukungu Egumeho Pasika event at on Saturday, April 20 at Rose Gardens in Rwakaraba, Kabale.
About Bakiga Nation Organisation:
Bakiga Nation Limited is a Non-Government Charity organisation that supports, celebrates and promotes the Kiga Culture heritage through charity, festivals, arts and merchandise.
The Organisation’s flagship event dubbed “Rukundo Egumeho” – for ‘ let Love prevail” is a quarterly occasion that attracts the Banyakigezi associates and their enthusiasts in celebration of cultural diversity and heritage through art, music, fashion, charity and food.
In the previous editions, the festival has attracted revellers from all regions and ages making one it the biggest cultural festivals in the country.
