Religious leaders, musicians throw weight behind family festival

Musician and dance maestro, Phina Mugerwa aka Masanyalaze has rallied musicians, comedians, dancers and members of the creative industry to embrace the first ever Inter-religious Family Festival and offer full support to the event.

Masanyalaze, the  secretary general at the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) and a board member of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) was alongside national leaders as well as religious leaders updating the nation on the festival at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

The inter-religious family festival is organised by the Inter-religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation Uganda Chapter and the Government of Uganda under the theme: Celebrating Family, Faith, Freedom: One Family under God for an African Renaissance”.

“I am here to confirm that the creative sector stands with the family festival, we believe that family is core in promoting and upholding the values of our nation,” Masanyalaze said.

Masanyalaze used the opportunity to call on all musicians, comedians, actors, filmmakers, performers and other creative artists to join and participate at the festival.

“To all creative artistes, it’s time to give back to the people that have loved and supported us as we participate at the festival, we should all come with spouses and children. Let’s disburse content that is helping to build our nation and preparing the children who are the next generation; we love families, we love you because you love us,” Masanyalaze said.

Msgr. Charles Kasibante the Chairman Executive board of IRCU said that the festival is an affirmation that the Family is an integral unit, cardinal and basic for society and Nation building.

“The family if well nurtured is a centre of socio-economic transformation. The festival will offer opportunity to celebrate our interconnectedness, deep-rooted values and deeper understanding that it’s the family that defines us all in Africa,” Msgr. Kasibante noted.

Peace Service Ambassador, Milton Kambula, the Chapter President Global Peace Foundation observed that the family festival happening on  June, 29, 2024 is an event that brings together faith leaders, cultural leaders, political leaders, youth, women, business entrepreneurs walking side by side with their spouses, children to celebrate the institution of the family in Uganda and Africa at large

“The festival is an affirmation that the family in Africa is not just about father, mother and their children; many of us are who we are because of the roles played by uncles, aunties, grandparents and the in-laws. For the first time we want to see everyone coming to the festival with their extended families,” Kambula said.

At the festival, participants will be treated to free medical services like screening for cervical, breast, prostate cancer, HIV testing and counseling, Malaria testing, eye checkup, blood donation, free food and free entertainment.