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The Twegate Dance Group, a Ugandan cultural body, participated in the just-concluded FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 by entertaining the audience at different venues.
The group enthralled fans with its performances at the FIFA Club World Cup Fan Zone at Doha Sports Park, Khalifa International Stadium and Mall of Qatar, besides other places. They performed Ugandan songs and dances accompanied by drumming.
This was not the first time the group had performed at major events; they had also performed at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. The group’s performance was facilitated by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
Benson Akampumuza, the group’s chairman, said their performance was unique because their drums are made from Uganda and produce typical African tunes. “The drums are handmade from Uganda and are made using materials fetched from there,” he said.
To make sure their performances showcase Ugandan cultural heritage, the group members wear Ugandan costumes. “The performers wear traditional costumes featuring the national colours of the Ugandan flag including black, yellow and red,” he added.
They normally have 16 people on the stage during their performances. The group has more than 40 members and they normally rehearse on Fridays. “We train on Fridays and Saturdays. However, if one is not available because of work shift, they rehearse on other days in the week.”
Akampumuza said the aim of the group is to raise awareness about FIFA World Cup 2022. “We are planning to perform in a public area, like the Corniche where people can learn more about the FIFA World Cup 2022.”
They are planning to hold quiz contests on FIFA World Cup 2022 and distribute free Ugandan-themed T-shirts to the audience. “We want to engage the community so they could learn more about the FIFA World Cup 2022, while also learning about the Ugandan culture.”
With their activities, they aim to make the group bigger.The dance group, which will complete a year in February, had started with only three members, and has now become a channel of uniting Ugandans and exploring their talents. “It feels good because people have now started exercising their talents. Some of the members were performing back home but they stopped when they came here because of work schedules and to concentrate on work. Now, the group has given them a platform to showcase their
talents.”According to Akampumuza, the group has helped Ugandan expatriates to beat home sickness. “Some of them would go back to home after work but now they have something to look forward to.”
Besides, the group, which deals with drumming, singing and dancing, has become a platform to unite the Ugandans in Qatar. Thanking the Supreme Committee, Akampumuza said they have focused on community outreach. “We are one big family. They have united different communities here in Qatar. They make us feel appreciated and included in different activities in the country.”
As Qatar is a multi-cultural society, they have been able to interact with people from different countries through their performances.
Besides the Twegate Dance Group, the Ugandan community also has the Cranes Doha Football Club, and Peninsula Vibes, a media channel whose aim is to raise awareness about the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Akampumuza informed that they were planning to launch a magazine that will feature activities about the Ugandan community.
The group enthralled fans with its performances at the FIFA Club World Cup Fan Zone at Doha Sports Park, Khalifa International Stadium and Mall of Qatar, besides other places. They performed Ugandan songs and dances accompanied by drumming.
This was not the first time the group had performed at major events; they had also performed at the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup. The group’s performance was facilitated by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy.
Benson Akampumuza, the group’s chairman, said their performance was unique because their drums are made from Uganda and produce typical African tunes. “The drums are handmade from Uganda and are made using materials fetched from there,” he said.
To make sure their performances showcase Ugandan cultural heritage, the group members wear Ugandan costumes. “The performers wear traditional costumes featuring the national colours of the Ugandan flag including black, yellow and red,” he added.
They normally have 16 people on the stage during their performances. The group has more than 40 members and they normally rehearse on Fridays. “We train on Fridays and Saturdays. However, if one is not available because of work shift, they rehearse on other days in the week.”
Akampumuza said the aim of the group is to raise awareness about FIFA World Cup 2022. “We are planning to perform in a public area, like the Corniche where people can learn more about the FIFA World Cup 2022.”
They are planning to hold quiz contests on FIFA World Cup 2022 and distribute free Ugandan-themed T-shirts to the audience. “We want to engage the community so they could learn more about the FIFA World Cup 2022, while also learning about the Ugandan culture.”
With their activities, they aim to make the group bigger.The dance group, which will complete a year in February, had started with only three members, and has now become a channel of uniting Ugandans and exploring their talents. “It feels good because people have now started exercising their talents. Some of the members were performing back home but they stopped when they came here because of work schedules and to concentrate on work. Now, the group has given them a platform to showcase their
talents.”According to Akampumuza, the group has helped Ugandan expatriates to beat home sickness. “Some of them would go back to home after work but now they have something to look forward to.”
Besides, the group, which deals with drumming, singing and dancing, has become a platform to unite the Ugandans in Qatar. Thanking the Supreme Committee, Akampumuza said they have focused on community outreach. “We are one big family. They have united different communities here in Qatar. They make us feel appreciated and included in different activities in the country.”
As Qatar is a multi-cultural society, they have been able to interact with people from different countries through their performances.
Besides the Twegate Dance Group, the Ugandan community also has the Cranes Doha Football Club, and Peninsula Vibes, a media channel whose aim is to raise awareness about the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Akampumuza informed that they were planning to launch a magazine that will feature activities about the Ugandan community.
