One of the Adungu Music Instrument

By : Ojok Emmanuel

The 2026 West Nile Music, Dance and Drama (MDD) Festival, popularly known as the Adungu Region Festival, has concluded with stakeholders calling for the strengthening of MDD programmes in primary schools to identify and nurture children’s talents.

The two-day regional festival brought together schools from across West Nile to showcase their talents in music, dance and drama.

Florence Lagua, Chairperson of the Adungu Region MDD Festival, commended stakeholders for supporting and participating in the annual event, saying their involvement is key to promoting talent development among learners.

Chalaire Omoding, the Arua District Education Officer, which hosted the festival, said the government made the right decision by incorporating MDD into the school curriculum.

Pakwach District Education Officer Johnson Obedling Thombu pledged continued cooperation with the media to promote and give visibility to the talents emerging from schools across West Nile.

Sarah Adong, the lead adjudicator from Gulu Core Primary Teachers’ College, who has regularly judged MDD competitions in the region, encouraged schools to take the discipline seriously as a platform for identifying learners with exceptional abilities.

Oasis Primary School, which has campuses in Arua City and Koboko Municipality, emerged as the overall winner of the regional festival. Arua Public Primary School finished second, while Niva Primary School took third position.

Denis Orijabo, Head Teacher of Oasis Schools, said the school has consistently prioritised excellence in school competitions and credited the pupils and teachers for their commitment.

For teachers and participants, the festival also provided an opportunity to learn and improve their skills.

Simon Ocopi Ongala, a music teacher at Papoga Primary School in Zombo District, said the festival had given him valuable lessons that would help improve music training at his school.

Participants also highlighted the benefits of MDD competitions, including building confidence, discipline, creativity and teamwork among learners.

The regional festival now paves the way for the national MDD festival, which is scheduled to take place from August 23 to30, 2026, at Bishop Willis Core Primary Teachers’ College in Iganga District.