By Martha Nakimuli

Ekisaakaate “The Royal Enclosure”  for the year 2013 has opened at Trinity College Nabbingo with over 600 children from different parts of Buganda.This year’s  enrollment has included children from other tribes across the country ,contrary to the past years where   the initiative of the queen of Buganda has attracted majorly Baganda children .

The Ekisaakaate  programme spokesperson, Suzan Nalwoga says  the theme for this year’s ekisaakate is answering the question “Why.”

“Today’s children are always asking why. Whenever they are told to do something, sit down while eating, respect elders, do housework, they will always first ask which was not the case before,” she said.

The programme generally  teaches children social , economic  and moral aspects in life. ‘Kisaakate‘ is an annual gathering, initiated by Nnaginda, to enable children learn Kiganda cultural norms, the language, morals and hygiene.

The programme was started by the Nabagereka Development Foundation to benefit  boys and girls between six and 18 years of age.

In Luganda, Kisakaate is a word derived to mean an enclosure. The concept dates as far as ancient Buganda. In the traditional setting, the Kabaka had chiefs who made it a point to fence their homesteads with long reeds. Within the homesteads, their children as well as those of their colleagues were groomed in cultural ideals.