Mount Kenya University (MKU) drama students stole the spotlight at the East Africa Music, Dance, and Drama (MDD) Festival held in Kampala, Uganda, from August 18–24, 2025.
The team thrilled audiences with a wide range of performances, including solo dance, stand-up comedy, spoken word, solo verse, mime, narrative, and even a live broadcast piece. Their showcase came just months after MKU was crowned Best Overall University and Most Prolific University at the Kenya National Drama Festival.
For MKU drama group leader Henry Jomo, performing on such a stage was a dream come true. He described the festival as “the epicentre of creative arts” and lauded it for its unique East African cultural exchange. Jomo, who took part in the 2024 edition as a high school student with Fesbeth Academy, expressed pride in representing MKU at the university level, noting that the quality of performances—especially the dances—was among the best he had ever seen.
MKU’s Sports, Film, and Creative Arts Coordinator, Mr. William Luta, praised the Ugandan hosts for the excellent organisation and hospitality. “The standards have gone a notch higher compared to last year. This is the growth we want in creative arts—performances deeply rooted in culture but also contributing to the creative economy. For our students, this is a priceless opportunity to showcase and refine their talent,” he said.
The opening ceremony was graced by Uganda’s Minister of Education, H.E. Mrs. Janet Museveni, and Kenya’s Director General of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Hassan Abdi. Both pledged to strengthen cooperation between Kenya and Uganda in the field of education and cultural exchange.
Mr. Abdi also highlighted MKU’s pioneering role, noting that it was the first university invited to the East African MDD Championship in 2023. Their return to the continental stage after winning big at Kenya’s national festivals, he said, was a testament to MKU’s commitment to nurturing talent.
The festival was staged across three iconic venues—King’s College Budo, Budo Senior School, and Trinity College Nabbingo. It featured top institutions from across the region, with Kenya well represented by teams such as Alliance Girls High School, Friends School Senende, Ngenia High School, Moi Girls Isinya, Laiser Hill Academy, Ramba High School, Sega Girls, and several universities, including Alupe University.
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