Cinco de Mayo festival back in Kampala

Back in the day, the Latin and Mexican communities in Kampala used to look forward to the annual Cinco de Mayo festival. Many enjoyed the salsa dance more than anything else.

Catherine Sawe, an artist with Sawe creations has revived the festival and scheduled it for Sunday, May 4 at the poolside of Fairway Boutique Hotel. 

It is a reunion for the Mexican and Latin communities in Kampala and a commemoration of the legendary dance teacher Mzee Christopher Kato, who died at 87 years old in 2014. 

Cinco de Mayo is celebrated across the United States and parts of Mexico every year commemorating Mexico's victory in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. They celebrate the Mexican culture as well.

On the other hand, salsa also called the dance of many flavours is a fusion of Caribbean dances like the Cha cha cha, Rumba, Mambo, Cumbia and Festejo. Salsa means spice in Spanish. 

“This event will bring together the communities to celebrate through music and dance at only sh30, 000,” Sawe says.

Being a family event, she expects over 100 people and some have already booked.  

There will be dance performances, eats and drinks, kids' activities like face painting and swimming.

Veronica Tirwomwe 73, alias Mama Salsa is a passionate dancer and for this, she always attended the festival. 

She says, many people started careers, and others met their spouses and long-term friends through dance.

“Salsa has helped me to age gracefully and I am excited to meet my friends after many years. We shall also celebrate the life of Mzee Kato who brought us together,” she says. 

“It will be a walk down memory lane. I can’t wait to meet young people and dance again after five years of being on and off,” she says. 

Also, Zena Bernacca who is in her late 60s looks forward to dancing, networking, socializing and enjoying the performances.