LORD MAYOR BALIMWEZO FLAGS OFF KAMPALA TEAMS FOR NATIONAL MUSIC, GAMES COMPETITIONS

For some of Kampala’s schoolchildren, the next few days could be the beginning of something bigger than a school competition.

With songs to sing, skills to showcase and medals to chase, the pupils will travel to Iganga and Mubende to represent Kampala at national level.

Their journey began Thursday at the KCCA Lower Gardens, where Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo flagged off teams for the National Schools Musical Festival and national ball games competitions.

Three schools, Buganda Road Primary School, Clevers’ Origin Junior School and Nakivubo Blue Primary School will represent Kampala at the music festival in Iganga district.

In Mubende, Konge Parents School, Kibuli Demonstration School and St. Benedict School will compete in football for boys and girls, netball and volleyball.

For KCCA, the competitions are not only about winning trophies. They are also about giving children a chance to discover themselves.

Balimwezo told the pupils that education remains one of the greatest gifts an adult can give a child.

“The best asset you can give to a child is education,” he said, while appreciating parents, teachers and schools that continue to support education.

He urged the pupils to work hard in class while making good use of opportunities in sports, music and other activities.

“Study hard. There is no better education than this,” Balimwezo said, describing education as a fundamental human right.

He said co-curricular activities can make school more enjoyable and help keep children in school.

“For some learners, the football pitch may reveal a talent they never knew they had. For others, it may be a music stage, a netball court or a volleyball court,” Balimwezo said

Balimwezo noted that many people have built successful careers through sports and the arts, encouraging the children not to take their talents lightly.

The Lord Mayor also used the occasion to raise concern over the safety of school land.

He called for stronger protection of school properties, saying several schools face threats from people seeking to take over their land.

School land, he said, is more than property. It provides space for classrooms, playgrounds, sports and other activities that help children grow.

Representing KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, Frank Rusa said the authority is committed to developing children academically, physically and morally.

 “We strongly believe in talent promotion.”

KCCA director for education, sports and social services Charles Maginot said the authority believes children should be given opportunities to grow both academically and through their talents.

“We believe we have to bring up holistic children. We have to develop their academics and their talents,” Maginot said.

His message was clear: Kampala is going to the national competitions with confidence.

“Kampala does not just participate. We are going to win,” Maginot said.

The city already has a strong contender in Nakivubo Blue Primary School, the reigning national champions.

For the pupils, however, the journey is about more than defending a title. It is about stepping onto a bigger stage, meeting children from other parts of the country and showing what they have learnt.

As the Kampala teams leave for Iganga and Mubende, they carry the support of their teachers, parents and the city.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer