The Uganda Media Centre (UMC) in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance have launched the ‘Sauti Ya Uganda’ (Voice of Uganda), nationwide anthem singing competition in a bid to promote patriotism and national unity.
The anthem contest themed “One Nation, One Voice,” offers a grand prize of UGX 100 million and encourages citizens to learn, interpret, and perform all three stanzas of the Uganda National Anthem and the East African Community Anthem in any style and language they choose.
While addressing media during the launch in Kampala on Friday, the Executive Director UMC, Alan Kasujja emphasized that the initiative goes far deeper than a standard television talent search.
“Sauti Ya Uganda isn’t asking you to memorize words, it is asking you to bring back to life—in your own voice, your own language, and choose unity over division and region over tribe.” he said .
He added, “This is not just a talent search. It is an invitation to every Ugandan, in English or in your mother tongue, to reinterpret our national anthem and East African Anthem in your own voice, style, and creativity”.
The Vice President of the African Music Council (AMC) for Eastern Africa Region, Dr. Benon Kigozi described the competition as a vital intervention for nation-building.
“The competition on the Uganda National Anthem and the East African Anthem is very important in promoting patriotism and a general sense of nationalism and belonging” he said.
Dr. Kigozi noted that a shared understanding of these anthems offers a systematic solution to national fragmentation.
“With everyone acquainted with the anthem, the question of unification is solved because we all sing the same song for the same reason in the same nation” he said.
Renowned media personality Dr. Mich Egwang, reflected on how the anthem serves as an emotional anchor that defines national identity.
“The question we should all be asking ourselves is who we are. The national anthem gives us our identity. My job is to tell stories, and I am so excited that Uganda Media Centre has organized this competition to promote our anthem, and I am glad to be part of it” he said.
The competition will culminate on the Grand National stage on October 9, 2026, during the Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Registration for the competition opened today, July 10, 2026, and runs until August 8, 2026. Forms can be downloaded from https://tinyurl.com/sautiyauganda.
