By Benedict Mukoni……………….
As a tribute to cultural heritage, diversity, and their shared commitment to service, the inter-institutes junior religious professed, cohort of 2025, celebrated their cultural day at St. Mbaaga’s Major Seminary, Ggaba on July 19, 2025.
The atmosphere was filled with excitement as the participants donned their traditional attires, each outfit, a vibrant reflection of their cultural heritage.
As the celebration commenced, the participants took to the stage, showcasing their traditional music and dance performances. The rhythms and melodies reflected the different parts of the world, highlighting the rich diversity of the participants’ backgrounds. Throughout the day, the participants proudly shared their cultural heritage, from traditional cuisine, songs to unique dances.
The purpose of the Cultural day was more than showcasing cultural practices; it was also to create both entertainment and meaningful cultural exchange, sharing, appreciation, bonding and learning about each other’s customs.
The Director of Uganda Spiritual Formation Centre, Namugongo USFCN, Sr. Daisy Nakanwagi, DST graced the event as the guest of honour. She told the participants that culture is their identity, pride and a fabric of society which refers to shared behavior, beliefs, values, traditions, heritage, or material objects that characterize a particular group of people. Thus, culture is the way of life and the way things are done.
“Culture is dynamic and it plays a vital role in fostering morals, understanding, empathy, and cooperation. The essence of this day is to promote understanding, appreciation, and respect of all our different cultures within our respective institutes and communities.” Sr. Daisy noted.
Sr. Pauline Namuddu, LSOSF, Coordinator Formation Ministry of the Religious in Uganda (FoMRU) encouraged participants to become ambassadors of intercultural unity because there are some divisions in some communities, according to culture. She advised them to bond and bridge gaps that tend to bring division.
The Ugandan tribes represented included; Baganda, Basoga, Banyoro, Batooro, Bakonzo, Bakiga, Banyankole, Bafumbira and Luo while tribes beyond Uganda included Kenya and Tanzania.
Present were also guests from the Association of Religious in Uganda Secretariat and Sabbatical Participant from UFSCN.
The event fostered a deeper sense of community, weaving unity through diversity. It was a proof to the participants’ commitment to preserving their cultural identities while embracing their shared values.
