Afrika Mashariki Fest, founded in 2014, is an East African Community regional youth organisation that mobilizes the young generation through Art & Sports to champion the EAC integration process.
Every year on the 14th of October, The United Republic of Tanzania marks the Nyerere Day to honour Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere, as the Father of the Nation. On Monday October 14th 2024, we Joined the Mwalimu Nyerere Family in Butiama, to commemorate 25 years after Mwalimu’s passing and 25 years of the revived EAC.

Afrika Mashariki Fest organised a maiden and historical pilgrimage to Butiama in Mara region, Mwalimu Nyerere’s ancestral home and resting grounds, under the theme: Espousing Mwalimu Nyerere’s Enduring Legacy and Values – Lessons for Mother Africa. This initiative is informed by our persuasion and conviction that the EAC region in particular and Africa in general has a duty (Jukumu) and a debt (Deni) to reminisce the legacy of Mwalimu Nyerere’s contribution to the liberation struggles and unity of Africa.

His Excellency Yoweri Museveni, on several occasions has drawn our attention to the significance of Mwalimu Nyerere’s invaluable contribution to the liberation of Africa and to his efforts to integrate the three original East African countries which included his offer to delay the independence of Tanganyika so that with Kenya and Uganda they could form a strong, united country.

We are convinced that a deeper reflection on Mwalimu Nyerere is essential to refocus our understanding and tackling of the governance challenges facing Africa today.

Afrika Mashariki Fest arranged to lead a delegation of Ugandans and East Africans; Political Leaders, Government Officials, University Students, High School Students, Private Sector Actors, Religious Leaders, Academicians, Cultural Leaders, and other Wananchi for a Pilgrimage to Butiama.

We chartered one of Uganda Airlines’ Aircraft to fly the pilgrims from Entebbe to Mwanza and back on the 14th of October 2024. Those who prefered to travel by road used our Kayoola buses.

All pilgrims drove through the Great Serengeti National Park on their way to Butiama.
A Dialogue was held at Mwalimu’s home for an indepth reflection (Kutafakari) on several governance issues and how to deepen the EAC integration agenda.

The three EAC Founding Mothers; Mama Maria Nyerere, Maama Miria Obote, and Mama Ngina Kenyatta besides other key EAC leaders, were invited to Butiama to engage with the pilgrims.