Kampala — IFyou were feeling dejected about missing out on the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting this month, take heart. The Unity Cultural Festival will give the ordinary Ugandan a chance to be part of the Commonwealth activities.

It is a chance to get re-acquainted with our culture and the things that make Uganda unique. Ugandans will showcase the country's resources and interact with people from different parts of the world.

The festival, which will take place at the former Shimoni Primary School grounds from November 15 to December 1,will run under the theme 'Unity In Diversity'.

"We want to portray our culture and heritage to the tourists and delegates. Even with diversity, there can be cohesion" says Asia Kinnabi, the vice chairperson of the organising committee. Starfish Limited, a private company is behind the event.

The festival is aimed at promoting art and culture; to develop and popularise all cultural heritage of East Africans; to stimulate creative rise of art and traditional singers/performers; to bring together all Ugandans in a show of unity; and to allow East Africans to showcase their products.

At a fee of only sh2,000 for adults and sh1,000 for children, you will be treated to a variety of activities throughout the 17 days. Several tents are being erected to host the different events. There will be an exhibition tent where people will have stalls to display their merchandise. The organising committee has held two pre-qualification exhibitions at Nakivubo to select the products that will be on sale. To keep it strictly cultural, there are restrictions on the type of goods to display. All goods must fall under these; categories; ceramics, jewellery, metal works, sculpture, drawings and pastels, batiks, fibre (bark, banana, hides and others), glass, paintings, photography, print-making, wood works, jua kali, dance, drama and local/traditional food.

The cultural tent which will host all the traditional performances will also be the venue for the different theme nights which will include the gala, Rwandese, Indian, Burundi, Kenyan, Tanzanian and talent nights. All the regions of Uganda will also have their own theme nights. Kinaabi says they are working with the different embassies of the East African community to invite the best cultural groups from their countries. There is a lot to learn from other East Africans and it is also a great opportunity to share with them our customs and traditions.

The festival will also cater for the children. A children's court that will be run by the Montessori International School will be an information hub. The children will be educated on the history of the Commonwealth as well as the different cultures. They will also learn to make some basic traditional products like beaded jewellery. Some old customs will be resurrected such as the oral tradition of education. The food court will be another attraction. Only traditional foods will be on sale. The best creative arts exhibitor, the best traditional performer, the best food display and the best combination of culture and art will be awarded with prizes at the end of the festival.

The deadline for registration is long gone, but there are a few stalls left that will be given out on a first-come-first-serve basis. The stalls for the exhibition will be 3m × 3m going for $200 (sh350,000) each. For anyone needing a bigger stall, the fee will be adjusted accordingly. The Unity Cultural Festival office is at Plot 88, Jinja Road.