'Tupendane Sote ' likely to become EAC anthem
By Staff Reporter
Kenya's National Choir belted out a soothing tune, "Tupendane Sote ", which
emerged number one in the regional competition on the development of the East
African Community (EAC) anthem. The competition ended in Arusha on September 27.
The Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly, Abdulrahman Kinana
presented a certificate and cash prize of US$ 3,000 to winning composer, Mr.
Richard L. Khadambi (Kenya, best composition); John J. Mugango (Tanzania, second
best composition of "Mungu ibariki Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki" who received US$
2000 and Joseph Wasswa (Uganda, third best composition of
"Oh East Africa" who also received a certificate and cash prize of US$ 1,500.
Present at the award giving ceremony, which was held at the Natural Museum in
Arusha, were: John Koech, Minister of East African and Regional Co-operation of
the Republic of Kenya, Amanya Mushega, Secretary General of the East African
Community, Members of the East African Legislative Assembly, Mr. Fulgence Saria,
District Commissioner, Arusha, and members of the Arusha community.
The Adjucators of the EAC Anthem competition were: Dr. Henry Namsyule Wanjala,
Lecturer, Music and Dance, Kenyatta University, Nairobi,Kenya; Mr. Sabinus
Ferdinand Komba, Lecturer,Music, University of Dar es Salaam; and Mr. Nkore
Eugene, former Director of Music inthe Uganda PoliceForce and Regional Police
Commander/Masaka, Uganda.
This regional event marks the end of a process initiated by the EAC Secretariat
early this year, in collaboration with the Ministries responsible for Culture in
the Partner States, to have the people of East Africa participate in the
development of the Anthem.
The winning composition will now be presented to the East African Community
Council of Ministers in the November 2005 for consideration and adoption. Once
adopted, the Anthem is expected to promote among the people of the region an
East African identity.
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