SEMBEZA AFRICA

​Ubuntu Sports Festival: Uniting Communities Through Sports and Conservation

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Not just a Sports Event​

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The Ubunto Sports Festival is much more than just a sports event: it is a transformative experience based on the values of cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and connecting diverse cultures and communities. Over the years, the festival has involved thousands of participants, not only from all over Uganda, but from around the world, to celebrate love, humanity, and shared passions through sports and traditional Ugandan games. In light of this, the philosophy of the Ubuntu Festival is based on the concept of “I am because we are,” emphasizing the sense of humanity, respect, dignity and recognition among humans and populations.

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Why Ubuntu?

“Ubuntu” encapsulates the essence of community and interconnectedness. This festival is built on the belief that when we come together, we can create powerful change. By engaging in sports and conservation, participants experience firsthand the importance of collaboration, cultural preservation, and environmental responsibility. 

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“Ubuntu places emphasis on values of human solidarity, empathy, human dignity and the humaneness in every person, and that holds that a person is a person through others”. (Mugumbate & Nyanguru, 2015)

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Our Mission

The values of the Ubuntu Sports Festival specified above and based on the sustainability of communities, the environment and traditional cultures are justified by the desire and ambition to build strong and inclusive communities, based on love and mutual respect. By combining sports with conservation education and cultural exchange, we aim to: 

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• Fostering, persevering and practicing the concepts of unity and collaboration: Respecting the central philosophy of Ubuntu, the Festival promotes the values of interdependence and sharing, by bringing together various communities and different people through sports and games, as these do not look at social differences and racial prejudices.

• Preserving cultural heritage and traditions: Through traditional games, such as Omweso, Morabaraba and Oware, we work to preserve and especially promote Uganda's rich cultural history, so that the latter is not pushed aside, but is recognized with the importance it carries. 

• Promoting environmental conservation and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations: Participants are educated and, if necessary, introduced to sustainable conservation and protection practices for the environment, communities and well-being. Specifically, our goal is the achievement of the following SDGs:
     i. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being.
     ii. SDG 4: Quality Education
     iii. SDG 5: Gender Equality
     iv. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.
     v: SDG 13: Climate Action
     vi: SDG 15: Life on Land
     By staking our energies and efforts, we hope to achieve SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.

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Key Features

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Traditional games and sports

Participants engage in a wide range of activities, emphasizing both traditional African games and popular sports. This approach promotes physical well-being and cultural preservation, as participants learn to appreciate different cultural expressions and traditions.

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Conservation workshops

Interactive activities and workshops are conducted with the goal of raising public awareness of environmental sustainability issues. From tree planting to waste management education, these sessions enable youth to become ambassadors for the environment in their communities.

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Cultural exchange

By bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, the festival promotes cultural appreciation and understanding. International partners from Mozambique, Rwanda, Zambia, Poland, the United Kingdom, and other countries join Ugandan communities to integrate sportsmanship and unity.

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Global impact and volunteerism

The Festival is supported by a dedicated network of volunteers from Tanzania, Kenya, UK, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, and other nations, strongly believing in international partnership and collaboration (SDG 17) to achieve the other SDGs. Volunteers play a key role in organizing activities, teaching sports, and conservation education.

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Our partners and collaborators

The Ubuntu Sports Festival is a collective effort made possible through partnerships with local and international organizations, including:

• Community-Based Partners: Score Beyond Leadership Organisation, Bunyoni Safaris, RAMS RFC, and more.

• Conservation Allies: Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, Lukango Tree Conservancy, Avian Conservation Uganda Society.

• Sports Collaborators: Uganda Wheelchair Basketball Association, Uganda Quadball Association, and Uganda Mindgames Federation.

• International Supporters: Salisbury RFC (UK), Rugby Club of Luxembourg, and St. George’s International School Luxembourg.

 

These partnerships help ensure that our programs reach those who need them most, making a lasting impact on communities through sports and education.​

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How you can support

Join Us: Whether as an athlete, volunteer, or partner, your participation can make a difference.
Sponsor the Event: Your support can help provide equipment, fund workshops, and expand our reach to more communities.
Promote Conservation: Spread awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and support our conservation initiatives.

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Impact and next steps

Since its inception, the Ubuntu Sports Festival has made significant strides in uniting communities and promoting conservation. However, there is much more to achieve. We are committed to expanding our outreach, enhancing community connections, and improving sustainability efforts. Your involvement can help us continue this vital work.