KAMPALA: Following the success of the 2017 first Dragon Boat festival, Shs265m has been raised towards the hosting of the second dragon boat festival next month.
The Dragon boat festival will double up as the second event in the Uganda after a number of Chinese companies came on board to support the event to be held at Uganda Wildlife Centre on the Lake Victoria shores in Entebbe Municipality on 16 June.
The event under the theme: Strengthening Friendship in cultural diversity will be a fun packed event that will also provide an opportunity for corporates and the business community to interact and network.
Mr Isaac Mujasi, the UWEC spokesperson said the event will feature among other activities, boat parade by the different Government and corporate entities, boat racing competitions by various teams, Chinese and local traditional music and dance.
He revealed that Huawei technologies, (a Chinese company) has already presented a cheque of Shs20 million towards the event and that China international Water and Electric Corporation, China State Construction Engineering Corporation, Tiang Tang Group, Uganda China Hetonghui and Star TV have contributed 10 million each.
“Other companies include China Civil Engineering, Construction Corporation, China Wuyi, Uganda Jiangsu Shangui that have contributed Shs5million and the grand contribution of Shs200 million has already been made by the Embassy of China and another Shs30 million by the Chinese Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries,” said Mr Mujasi.
Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi while speaking during the support presentation by the various Chinese Companies the more we learn about other people’s cultures, the more we become fascinated by cultural differences.
He said that the festival will be characterized by sharing local foods and competition in recognition of the Chinese patriotism and communalism.
He explained that it was being celebrated in Uganda jointly by the Chinese and the local communities in the spirit of friendship and solidarity for long standing cultural connection between the two peoples.
“I want to commend the Government of China and Chinese community in Uganda for their support to the event because the relations between peoples and countries are built and nurtured through small but genuine acts and sports as the most cementing factor like this sport,” said Mr Ssekandi.
The Chinese Ambassador to Uganda Mr Zheng ZhuQiang said festival is an honour culture that forms part of the Chinese heritage representing a long-held tradition.
He revealed that the Chairman of the Chinese Peoples’ Consultative Council Mr Wang Yang, who is China’s fourth top most personality in Chinese political hierarchy, the President of China Peoples’ Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC) will be among Chinese high profiles to attend the event alongside other Government officials and officials from the International Dragon Boat Federation.
