Drums, busuuti and belonging: Melbourne turns Ugandan for a night

Ugandans gathered in Melbourne, Australia, for a cultural celebration marking the country's 64th independence anniversary alongside the Uganda–Australasia Business Expo.

The beats of the Nankasa drums filled the hall as Pearl Afrikulture Rhythms opened an evening celebrating Ugandan culture in Melbourne, Australia. Decorated in Uganda’s national colors, woven baskets, and drums, the Collingwood Town Hall hosted Ugandans, friends, and well-wishers for an event held on October 17 as the main gathering of the three-day Uganda–Australasia Business Expo.

Princess Katrina Ssangalyambogo represented the Nnaabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, at the high table alongside Iteso cultural leader Papa Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, ministers Balaam Barugahara and Babirye Milly Babalanda, and Uganda’s High Commissioner to Australia, Dorothy Samali Hyuha. Dr Michael Muleme, president of the Uganda Community in Victoria, led an organizing team of more than 45 people to bring the celebration together as the community marked 64 years of independence.

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Performances included the Agonda cultural dance from northern Uganda, while guests wore traditional attire such as the busuuti and kanzu alongside modern fashion. Speeches from leaders emphasized the importance of preserving traditions, teaching children mother tongues, and maintaining cultural roots while integrating into new communities.

High Commissioner Hyuha noted that cooperation between Uganda and Australia remains strong across mining, education, and tourism, with approximately 13,000 Australians visiting Uganda in the previous year. A speech read on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni by minister Barugahara highlighted government focus on infrastructure development and easing trade through transport improvements.

Traditional cuisine served by Afropearls Victoria fueled guests before Seben’s band performed live music. Following the main event, attendees continued celebrations at an after-party organized by Tony Ndiwalana at Pandora Club, capping off a week of community events.

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