ICT Ministry Launches 'Sauti Ya Uganda' Anthem Contest with 100M Shillings Prize

The Ministry of Information, Communications, and National Guidance has rolled out a nationwide singing competition dubbed ‘Sauti Ya Uganda’ (Voice of Uganda). The initiative aims to promote patriotism and national unity by encouraging citizens to learn, appreciate, and confidently sing Uganda’s national anthems.

Under the theme “One Nation, One Voice,” the competition seeks to popularize the national anthems and rekindle a sense of pride in Uganda’s identity, heritage, and values through music. Uganda Media Centre Executive Director, Alan Kasujja, who represented the ICT Minister at the launch, described the contest as a national movement designed to inspire unity and strengthen appreciation for the country.

“Anybody who can sing can enter the competition. If you are great as a band or choir, you can also enter the competition,” Kasujja stated, urging all capable Ugandans to participate.

The competition will span all regions, with Shs20 million awarded to each regional winner. These regional champions will then advance to the national level, where the ultimate winner will claim the Shs100 million grand prize. Organizers highlighted that the initiative also aligns with efforts to build national pride ahead of Uganda’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the AFCON organizing committee contributing Shs100 million to the project.

Adding a digital dimension, the #SautiYaUganda TikTok Challenge has been launched for a week, offering daily prizes of Shs1 million and a Shs5 million prize for the top online performer. This encourages participants to record and share their renditions of the national anthem on TikTok.

The campaign’s core objective is to increase the number of Ugandans who know the national anthem by heart, thereby promoting patriotism, unity, and pride. Veteran musician Halima Namakula and Swangz Avenue co-founder Benon Mugumbya are supporting the initiative, with Mugumbya offering recording opportunities. The idea reportedly stemmed from Kasujja’s personal observation that many colleagues struggled to recite the anthem fully.

Registration forms are accessible via the Uganda Media Centre’s official X platform.

Source: Nile Post