By Isaac Akugizibwe

KIU, Main Campus-Cultural Associations have begun intensive rehearsals ahead of the long-awaited KIU Cultural Gala scheduled for Saturday 25th February 2023. This will be the first time in three years that this cultural exhibition is happening following limitations caused by COVID-19.

Students are very excited by the news that the University's most interesting event is back after an unprecedented three years break. This has however changed the atmosphere in the University especially in the evening when most of the teams train.

During the Cultural gala, students are given a rare chance to display their ethnic culture and traditions through folk songs, traditional dances and dishes. Being an International University, KIU attracts students from all walks of life and it is during the Cultural gala that each group presents what they do in their culture with pride and passion.

This will be a very busy week for all registered Cultural Associations and individual students as they look to perfect their craft before the D-day. Evenings at KIU are increasingly becoming festive and ecstatic with drums of different beats and rhythms accompanying some melodies from different groups.

Basoga Nseete, Baganda Nkobazambogo, Bamasaba, Teso, Lango, Acholi, and Rwanda students associations have always been top contestants in the cultural gala but no other team has won it so many times than the Basoga Nseete. The Grandsons and daughters of Kyabazinga are still a team to beat yet it is unwise to write any other team off.

Bamasaba will still pull the biggest attention with their incredible Kadodi dance and they must be planning for a redemption after falling short in 2020. What is true is that the remnants of Mount Elgon will show up and the crowd is always waiting.

What about Nkobazambogo? These too will never disappoint. Their cultural dance is one of the best with scintillating moves and formations.

Their drummers have always put a show of their own and have been in a break for three years, their hands must be so fresh to impress.

It is important to note that the cultural gala is the only time all students get to sing the University Anthem and it being on the list of items to present, the judges will be looking for who sings it better. This is one item where anyone can win as along as they do it to the judge's expectations but the competition has always been between Nseete, Bunyoro Kitara, and the Rwanda students Association.

As if that is not enough, the KIU Somali Students Association have made it clear that they won't be settling for less this time round. They are determined to defy the odds and have had to do as many rehearsals as possible in order to walk the talk.

However, much can be anticipated from the Cultural gala and it is one event where disappointment has no room. This is the most sought-after event at KIU and the fact that it happens once every year, missing it would be a great mistake.