600 children attend Buganda’s Ekisaakaate training programme

Ekisaakaate “The Royal Enclosure” is an initiative of the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Ms Slyvia Naginda, aimed at revitalising and strengthening moral values, leadership, domestic duties, spiritual and practical skills among children and youth in Buganda. The kingdom t has been organising the Ekisaakaate since 2007.

skillsAbdu Kiyaga

At least 600 children between the ages of six and 18 yesterday started the annual two-week long training camp on cultural and life empowering skills code-named Ekisaakaate at Trinity College Nabbingo on Masaka Road.

The office of the Nnabagereka says the camp, which has drawn participants from across the country, will also include five Nigerians.

Children are expected to learn about responsibility, economic development, prosperity, personality development and sex, among other topics.

Organisers say the edition will also introduce new courses such as table manners assertiveness, baking and talent building.

Ms Tendo Namala, 13, a beneficiary, said she expects to learn domestic chores because “we have maids at home and they do not allow us to do any work before and after school”.

Ms Suzan Nalwoga, the programme spokesperson, said children will also be taught how to reduce the time they spend on social media like Facebook.

Ms Nalwoga said this year’s theme is aimed at answering the question “Why.”

“Today’s children are always asking why. Whenever they are told to do something, sit down while eating, respect elders, do housework, they will always first ask which was not the case before,” she said.

More than 3,000 children have been trained at Ekisaakaate since it started.

akiyaga@ug.nationmedia.com