President Yoweri Museveni has said the African rich heritage which is manifested in music, musical instruments, dances, oral literature, songs, cultures, and traditional ceremonies should be fully developed, documented, and preserved to enrich communication and benefit future generations.
“Africa, stand up and be proud. We have everything from Wealth creation, and rich language, to the strong culture of exogamy and strong patrilineal families and to the beauty of skin and hair. We do not have to ape anybody. Museveni highlighted.
The President accompanied by the First Lady made the remarks while launching “Omufunga Eizooba” -a traditional music album on Sunday 6th November 2022 at State House, Entebbe.
According to Museveni, the African population, currently at 1.3billion, has within it the most ancient portions of the human race, 4.5 million years old, and four nations according to linguistic classifications and he noted that within each branch, there are clusters and sub-clusters with common words among groups that live thousands of miles apart.
The Omufunga Eizooba traditional music album put together by the Heritage Foundation comprises 16 songs, composed many years ago but had remained undeveloped due to the unsettled colonial times.
Some songs, according to President Museveni were resurrected by a young woman by the name of Maaga who was the core of his music group and always stayed near him at the High Command inner compound in Ngoma, Nakaseke.
On the other hand, President Museveni challenged Ugandans to use their rich cultural heritage and reject the pathetic Phenomenon of self-hatred that the Africans, especially the women, developed on account of the inferiority complex created by the colonial trauma. He said many of the songs inform us of the elements of beauty that are, for instance, appreciated by the Banyankore
The head of the Heritage Foundation Mrs. Natasha Karugire thanked the President and the First Lady for being at the forefront of promoting culture.
“Growing up, my siblings and I always listened to all songs that Mzee kept. We would be at the dining table with Mzee and mama and Mzee would often spontaneously break into singing some songs,” Natasha said.
The Bishop of North Ankole Diocese Rev Stephen Namanya thanked President Museveni and the First Lady through his book “Katondoozi” for promoting a culture that Ugandans and Africa should be proud of.
The ceremony was attended by among others the Ministers; Frank Tumwebaze (Agriculture Animal Industries and Fisheries), Alice Kaboyo (Luwero Triangle), the United Nations Resident Coordinator Suzan Namondo, members of Parliament, and service chiefs.
