By Obbo Yusuf
The 2024 East African Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) Festival has officially kicked off in Jinja City, bringing together over 70 schools from Uganda and Kenya. Hosted at Nakanyonyi Girls Secondary School and Mwiri School, the festival, which runs until Friday, 30th August, is showcasing the vibrant talents of students from across the region under the theme “Greening Schools: Our Responsibility Towards Our Environment.”
The festival is part of Uganda’s commitment to enhancing co-curricular activities through the Competence-Based Curriculum, introduced by the government to foster holistic education.
The Ministry of Education and Sports has been at the forefront of supporting MDD programs in schools, highlighting their role in talent development and socio-economic progress.
During the opening ceremony, Commissioner Mulindwa Ismael, representing the Ministry of Education and Sports, encouraged participants to leverage the opportunities provided by the MDD program.
“The Government of Uganda has fully catered for the MDD program as part of our Competence-Based Curriculum. We urge learners to use their talents to transform their lives,” said Mulindwa. He drew inspiration from prominent Ugandan artists like Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine, and Kenzo, emphasizing that talent can be a powerful tool for personal and societal change.
This year’s festival features 50 Ugandan schools and 20 Kenyan schools, highlighting the regional collaboration and unity promoted by the event.
Kenyan officials praised Uganda’s efforts in fostering East African integration through such platforms, encouraging the youth to use sports and talent as drivers for socio-economic development.
Over 70 schools are competing in various categories, with Buddo Secondary School, last year’s champion, setting a high benchmark with 998 points.
Jackline Kalule, Head of MDD Programs for the Busoga sub-region, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders for their support.
“We appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Education and Sports, as well as Busoga Kingdom and head teachers, in organizing this year’s festival,” Kalule said. “We look forward to seeing which region will excel this year.”
The festival not only celebrates artistic expression but also serves as a platform for students to develop skills and gain recognition. By integrating MDD into the national curriculum, Uganda continues to support the growth of young talents, preparing them to contribute to the country’s social and economic development.
The East African MDD Festival represents a significant step in promoting cultural exchange and unity among East African nations, while also emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship as reflected in this year’s theme.
