Culture at Namilyango is not an afterthought — it is woven into the very fabric of college life. Founded by the Mill Hill Missionaries in 1902, Namilyango has always embraced both its Catholic heritage and the rich tapestry of Ugandan culture. From the Runyege dance of Western Uganda to the royal rhythms of Buganda, our students carry forward a living tradition.
The annual Music, Drama and Dance (MDD) festival — held every Term Two — is the highlight of the cultural calendar. Inter-house competition is fierce, creative, and deeply meaningful. Every boy has a role to play: as a performer, a backstage crew member, or an enthusiastic audience member. In 2026, McKee House were crowned champions.
Annual MDD Festival
McKee House claimed the 2026 Inter-House MDD title with an outstanding 523 points across all seven items, edging Mukasa House by just 3 points in one of the closest competitions in recent memory.
6th & 7th March 2026 — Namilyango College
|
McKee
|
Mukasa
|
Kiwanuka
|
Charles Lwanga
|
Billington
|
Campling
|
Doyle
|
Kuipers
|
Reesinck
|
Hanlon
|
Biermans
|
Hewston
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Set Piece | 91 | 70 | 81 | 81 | 75 | 66 | 65 | 53 | 60 | 61 | 60 | 65 |
| Poem | 74 | 79 | 69 | 64 | 65 | 52 | 78 | 51 | 60 | 55 | 46 | 44 |
| Play | 62 | 60 | 62 | 85 | 82 | 71 | 59 | 60 | 60 | 77 | 75 | 58 |
| Orig. Com | 79 | 72 | 63 | 57 | 61 | 69 | 63 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 58 | 61 |
| Cont. Dance | 80 | 75 | 79 | 75 | 78 | 75 | 64 | 80 | 75 | 55 | 70 | 60 |
| Trad. Dance | 56 | 75 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 55 | 56 | 64 | 46 | 58 | 49 | 61 |
| Mime | 81 | 89 | 66 | 57 | 60 | 67 | 55 | 63 | 69 | 55 | 61 | 69 |
| Total | 523 | 520 | 489 | 485 | 484 | 455 | 440 | 428 | 428 | 420 | 419 | 418 |
| Position | 1st 🏆 | 2nd 🥈 | 3rd 🥉 | 4th | 5th | 6th | 7th | 8th | 8th | 9th | 10th | 11th |
Recognising the boys whose talent, dedication and artistry shone brightest at the 2026 Inter-House MDD Festival.
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Champions
MDD 2026 · 1st Place
McKee House · 523 pts
The trophy is lifted — McKee House claim their title in front of the full college assembly after a dominant display across all seven items.
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Set Piece
MDD 2026 · Best Category
McKee House · 91 pts
Dressed in full Namilyango College uniform, the National Anthem was delivered with discipline, harmony and precision.
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Poem
MDD 2026 · Best Category
Mukasa House · 79 pts
Commanding verse speaking — rhythm, gesture and articulation that brought the written word to life on stage.
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Play
MDD 2026 · Best Category
Charles Lwanga House · 85 pts
Powerful dialogue and a story that resonated deeply with every parent, student and adjudicator in the tent.
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Original Composition
MDD 2026 · Best Category
McKee House · 79 pts
A richly woven narrative rooted in Uganda's oral tradition, performed with clay pots, gourds and authentic village costumes.
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Contemporary Dance
MDD 2026 · Best Category
McKee & Kuipers Houses · 80 pts (tied)
Synchronised choreography in vibrant robes that drew the loudest audience applause of the evening.
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Traditional Dance
MDD 2026 · Best Category
Mukasa House · 75 pts
A masterclass in ancestral rhythm — body paint, precision movement and commanding stage presence.
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Mime
MDD 2026 · Best Category
Mukasa House · 89 pts
Storytelling without a single word — expression, timing and control that captivated the entire audience.
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Runners-Up
MDD 2026 · 2nd Place
Mukasa House · 520 pts
A razor-thin margin of just 3 points separated first and second — Mukasa push McKee all the way in the closest finish in recent memory.
Each house channels its unique identity and brotherhood into the MDD competition — building pride, teamwork and lasting memories. Every supervisor listed is the current house patron.
Biermans
Hasahya Titus
Billington
Nantongo Juliet
Campling
Kirabo Justine
Charles Lwanga
Andruale Awuzu Bernard
Doyle
Patrick Kanaabi
Hanlon
Ngabirano Penninah
Heweston
Achoroi Patrick
Kiwanuka
Bainomugisha Julius
3rd Place — MDD 2026
Kuipers
Ssendiwala Geoffrey
McKee
Serubiri Adrian
MDD Champions 2026 🏆
Mukasa
Kuteesa Alice Hasahya
Runners-Up — MDD 2026
Reensich
Bumanywa Alex
Beyond the MDD festival, Namilyango students engage with Uganda's rich artistic heritage throughout the year.
Students learn and perform traditional dances from across Uganda — the Runyege of Toro, the Bwola of Acholi and the Bakisimba of Buganda. These dances carry history, story and identity.
The set piece is the compulsory choral item every house must perform. In 2026 the National Anthem was the set piece — sung by each house in full Namilyango College uniform, judged on discipline, harmony and precision.
The drama tradition at Namilyango stretches back decades. Original scripts, Shakespeare adaptations and contemporary African plays are all part of the repertoire that takes to the stage each year.
No upcoming cultural events scheduled at this time.
Check back soon or visit the events page for the full calendar.