Sunday 30th August was yet again the Annual Clans of the Baganda in the UK Sports day which was held at McMillan Stadium at Newham Leisure Centre in East London. As usual, it was a well attended event with a range of activities to suit almost everybody from the age of 3 upwards. Competitive activities included table tennis, badminton, basket ball, omweso, draughts, football and athletics field and track. The 50 plus had no excuse not to participate as there was a walking race as well. As last year, Jomayi Property Consultants teamed up with Empapula Za Kakobe magazine to sponsor this event with contribution from Pier One Sound Systems plus the many volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly.
The essence of this sports day is to bring together the Baganda in their major building block which is the clan. It is an opportunity not only to have fun and keep fit but to fraternise with one’s clansmates, strengthen the sense of togetherness and, probably most importantly, inculcate in the young ones, even those born outside of Buganda, the fact that they have strong cultural roots which they should cherish wherever they are. It makes them aware that they are related to people they may never have met before and this sense of belonging to a wider, bigger entity which eventually makes you a Muganda and explains one’s surname and eventually who you may and may not marry is treasured.
This sports day is unique in that it involves everyone who wants to compete and amass points for their clan unlike back at home where only those selected as good enough and trained represent their clan. This makes everyone feel important for their clan.
The medals ceremony was presided over by Prince Daudi Ggolooba and Naalinnya Elizabeth Nakabiri introduced by Fred Ssemugera the Chairman of Ebika Bya Baganda E Bungereza. This was preceeded by the crowds rendering of”Ekitiibwa kya Buganda ” ( Buganda’s anthem )which was made jespecially joyful by the under 13’s who sung it with gusto and enthusiasm. All this was after one of the highlights of the day, the tug of war which is one of the events where one sees the effort and pride contestants put in on behalf of their clans, the weaker ones often being literary dragged on the floor but still walking off with pride. The medals won, especially by the young people, were the icing on the cake. Many winners walked away proudly with wide smiles and a sense of belonging and worthiness, let alone the self esteem of achievement for self and clan.
This year, Ngabi were toppled into second place by Mmamba. Third were Lugave and Ndiga fourth. A total of twenty six clans were represented.
