{UAH} John Sentongo wins the Entanda ya Buganda Diaspora and gets an acre of land

John Sentongo wins the Entanda ya Buganda Diaspora and gets an acre of land

John Sentongo a resident of Croydon – London UK won the Entanda ya Buganda Diaspora on 4/10/2013 after a fierce spirited fight put up by Beatrice Ssempa (London) and Esther Nakiito from Thailand. A former teacher and currently a fellow of Institute of lingustics in UK - working with the Department of Justice as a linguist beat 7 participants and won a land title from Jomayi Property Consultants as a prize. The Luganda quiz program was a collaboration between CBS (88.8 FM) and Ngoma radio (www.ngomaradio.com) and lasted for a week from the 30/09/2013. Other participants included: Dr Rashid Kasaato, Charles Kyazze, Ms Regina Kabenge and Frank Nsubuga.

The show which was live on both radios every day for an hour was the first of its kind and it excited many Ugandans both abroad and at home. Many of the participants' relatives were so excited and gathered friends and families in rural villages to listen in as their own took on a selection of hard questions from the Entanda team from CBS FM led by Mr Ssewannonda. The 'Entanda' judges were very impressed with the high levels of Luganda literacy and knowledge demonstrated by the Baganda abroad and could not rule out a battle between those abroad and at home. John Sentongo is expected to be handed his one acre land title on the 30^th December 2013 by the Kabaka of Buganda Kabaka Ronald Mutebi in Enkuuka which is a royal public event in Lubiri palace and he's already preparing for his journey home to attend the event. The excited Sentongo said.....

'It was wonderful to be heard by relatives at home, former teachers and everyone………I obviously did not expect to win but I did a lot of research and I was determined to go all the way. It will be a dream come true to shake hands with my king and I will definitely cherish this for the rest of my life. I hope that the program is continued so that future generations can learn and preserve our culture especially those in the diaspora.

In the finals, Sentongo got 20 points followed by Ms Beatrice Ssempa - 15 and Ms Nakiito got 11 points. The program which is expected to run annually aims to promote the Luganda language, culture and customs amongst Ugandans especially those in the diaspora.