The rich cultural heritage of Southwestern Uganda came alive at the Millennium Grounds on Sunday as Bakiga Nation celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Rukundo Egumeho festival, with Pilsner Lager joining the celebrations as the official beer partner.
The event brought together thousands of revelers who gathered to celebrate Bakiga culture, unity and the enduring spirit of love that has defined the festival’s decade-long journey.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was filled with cultural pride, with Pilsner Lager creating a unique Kigezi Cultural Village showcasing traditional drums, baskets, ornaments and other cultural symbols that celebrated the identity and traditions of the Bakiga community.
The first 250 attendees were also treated to a special Pilsner experience as part of the brand’s efforts to reward consumers while celebrating local heritage.
“At Pilsner Lager, we believe in celebrating the authenticity, unity, and heritage that define our consumers,” said Lillian Kansiime, Pilsner Lager Brand Manager at Uganda Breweries.
“Standing with Bakiga Nation for 10 years of Rukundo Egumeho allows us to reward our consumers in spaces that celebrate exactly who they are,” she added.
The celebrations featured performances from cultural troupes, entertainment from DJs Cross and Alberto, as well as performances from some of Kigezi’s finest musicians. MCs kept the crowd entertained with classic Kiga rhymes, chants and traditional expressions.
Reflecting on the festival’s 10-year journey, event organiser Owen Bigombe said Rukundo Egumeho had grown from a simple community gathering into a major celebration of Bakiga identity and culture.
“As a festival, Rukundo Egumeho started as a simple celebration of Bakiga as a community back in 2016. Now looking at the turnout today at 10 years, we are honoured to have all these people and support behind our heritage to make this milestone even more meaningful,” Bigombe said.
Beyond music, food and cultural displays, the celebration ended with a grand raffle draw where Seezi Mugabe from Muhanga, Rukiga District, emerged as the winner of a brand-new car, which was affectionately named “CARkiga” in celebration of the festival’s Kiga identity.
The 10th anniversary celebration highlighted the strong bond between culture, community and shared experiences, with Pilsner Lager reaffirming its commitment to supporting platforms that preserve and celebrate Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage.