In a show of how much they truly want to learn about their culture, youth from different districts in Uganda over the weekend formed a think tank that will help them learn more about their culture.

Dubbed ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda Tumenyane Youth Forum’, the platform seeks to create a continuous cultural dialogue between the youth and the old generation.  

The forum, according to the organizers, has one main objective of conserving the Rwandan culture beyond borders since Rwandans are spread across different countries of the world.

The theme of the day was; ‘Uruhare rw’Urubyiruko mu Kubungabunga Umuco Nyarwanda’, loosely translated to mean "Role of theyouth in conserving Rwandan culture.

And the organisers didn’t disappoint on their inaugural launch of the forum at Moto Moto Lounge in Ggaba, a Kampala suburb.

There was a show of elegance, colour and fun at the event graced by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Uganda, Frank Mugambage and Joan Bamurange Kakwenzire, the Senior Presidential Adviser to Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, among other dignitaries.

It was a full show of cultural music equipment, and imishanana and imikenyero which are traditional attires for Banyarwanda ladies and gentlemen.

"For a very long time, we have left the whole load to our elders in Uganda. We thought we should come in with their full support because Banyarwanda are all over the world.  What unites us is our rich culture not the different nationalities that we subscribe to,” said Gashegu Muramira, the Youth Chairman for Mukono District and the Chairman of Ndi Umunyarwanda Tumenyane Youth Forum.

According to Muramira, the forum will aim at having the young people in Uganda feel proud of their culture through open discussions and learning lessons from their counterparts in Rwanda.

"We have had a lot of intermarriages in Uganda which is really a good thing. But this has come with some people forgetting their culture and their language. If other tribes like Baganda and Bakiga are promoting their cultures, why not us?” he asked.

The event was marked by a panel bringing together the youth and members of the older generation in a question and answer quiz from the youthful audience about the Rwandan culture.

Frank Macari, the General Secretary of the Rwandan Community in Uganda and Edith Ariko represented the elders while Jean Pierre Kamanzi and Angel Irambona represented the youth on the panel.

Ambassador Mugambage advised the youth to embark on strategizing on how to get involved in economic and social transformation of their country and the whole East African region at large.

"Whoever forgets their culture becomes an irresponsible citizen. The ball is in your hands as young people. Rwanda has made a lot of progress because of a focused leadership that emphasizes accountability, unity and thinking big,’’ he said.

When they learnt of the day, Banyarwanda musicians in Uganda like Lillian Mbabazi, city socialites and poets did their best at no cost to entertain the over 400 Banyarwanda and their friends.

Unlike today, Banyarwanda children in Uganda were made to start speaking the language from infancy and they effortlessly learnt and spoke Kinyarwanda with an instinctive touch. They also picked up other languages which they also spoke fairly well.

"God bless Uganda and God bless Rwanda. I’m happy that such activities are being revived. I remember when I was a little boy somewhere in my village in Kibanga village in Kiboga district, my parents and other relatives used to gather on Saturday evenings and sing Kinyarwanda songs while dancing traditional dances (Igishakamba). I hadn’t seen this again in a while,” said Daniel Karengera, a young herdsman from Kiboga district.

Talking of supporting the cultural initiative, the Rwanda High Commission in Uganda supported the event by sponsoring over 50 Rwandan students to be part of the ceremony.

Ingenzi cultural troupe were at hand to entertain guests who included Gaddafi Nasur, the Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Youth League who thanked the Banyarwanda community in Uganda for always supporting government programmes.

Muramira said the Ndi Umunyarwanda Tumenyane cultural event is planned to be held annually to enable the youth learn more about their culture.

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