All set for first ever joint Kenya-Uganda music festivals

The first ever regional drama and music festival involving schools from Kenya and Uganda starts tomorrow at Mbale Secondary School. 

At least 11 Kenyan schools will take part in the competition. Local teams open the floor this Sunday.

Local schools include Kaaga Girls, Kakamega High, Nyabondo Boys, State House Girls, Lwak Girls, Dagoretti High, Drys Girls, St Joseph's Junior Seminary, Bungoma High, Sironga Girls and Chavakali High.

The schools were chosen on merit, having won at the national festivals.

Uganda's Education PS Rose Nassali Lukwago said her country has send 59 schools to the event. They include Muni Girls', Gulu Army Secondary, Nabumali High, Busia Secondary, Dr Obote College, Bororo Crested Secondary School Kazo, Teso College Aloet and KauI's Grade.

Others are Bukeda Lifeline, king of kings, Banda Secondary, Masindi Army Secondary, Kinyara Secondary, Bweranyangi Girls, Kyebambe Girls, Kibubura Girls, Pope Paul VI Secondary School and Luzira Secondary School, among others.

Ugandan teams have been selected after successfully participating in music, dance and drama activities at their various levels.

"Nkoma Secondary School and Mbale High School for Clinical Officers co-host the event alongside Mbale Secondary," Ms Lukwago said in a statement.

She disclosed that Ugandan teams will participate at the annual Kenya Music festival slated for Kasarani from August 8 as part of the East African community integration efforts.

While the Ugandan students will be competing among themselves, their Kenyan counterparts will only be showcasing the local cultural heritage.

"Our teams are not going to compete but celebrate the rich Kenyan cultural heritage that we have," said the Executive Secretary at the Kenya National Schools, Colleges and Universities Drama Festival, Patrick Sirengo Khaemba.