Entebbe’s Vibrant Chinese Dragon Boat Festival: A Celebration of Cultural Unity

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 1328 EAT on Monday 16 June 2025

If you happened to be near the Entebbe waterfront recently, you may have witnessed a heartwarming spectacle: a jubilant Chinese grandfather leaping into the waters of Lake Victoria, his exuberance echoing that of a football fan whose team has just clinched the World Cup. This was no spontaneous act; it was the culmination of the Dragon Boat Festival, and his team had just crossed the finish line first.

Now in its second year, this vibrant event was co-hosted by the Chinese community in Uganda and the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. The festival was a delightful blend of splashes, rhythmic drumming, and joyful chaos, embodying the spirit of cultural exchange and unity.

Held on June 1, 2025, at Lakeside Resort Kawuku, just outside Entebbe, the festival attracted a diverse crowd of Ugandans and Chinese nationals.

The air was filled with the thunderous beat of drums as teams of paddlers, both Ugandan and Chinese, raced in traditional dragon-shaped boats. Spectators from various backgrounds cheered enthusiastically from the shore, while children danced to the beat of African drums and families sampled Chinese cuisine and sipped traditional teas. k

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is a traditional Chinese holiday that commemorates the death of the poet and minister Qu Yuan from the Warring States period. The festival’s origins date back over 1,500 years to southern China and are celebrated by holding dragon boat races and eating sticky rice dumplings called zongzi.

In Kawuku, the races were more than just a competition; they were a bridge between cultures. Organized with support from the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, the Chinese Embassy in Uganda, and the Chinese Union, the event underscored the deepening cultural ties between China and Uganda, blending ancient traditions with modern-day diplomacy.

This year’s event also served as a springboard to promote Uganda as a tourist destination to Chinese visitors. Ugandan Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities, Martin Bahinduka, expressed optimism about increasing Chinese tourist arrivals, aiming to boost the current number of 9,000 annual visitors to between 15,000 and 20,000.

The Entebbe Dragon Boat Festival stands as a testament to the power of cultural exchange in fostering international friendship and cooperation. It exemplifies how shared traditions and mutual respect can bridge gaps between nations, creating lasting bonds and enriching the global community.

Eight teams lined up in long, dragon-shaped boats, each crammed with 20 paddlers, their oars flashing in unison to the beat of a single booming drum.

A gentle breeze rolled across the waters of Lake Victoria as the sound of traditional drumming echoed into the distance, setting the rhythm for paddlers poised at the start line, all floating on a shared current of excitement, culture and camaraderie.

Held in celebration of the traditional Chinese Duanwu festival, the event saw locals and Chinese expats unite not in boardrooms or embassies, but in boats. The goal? Paddle in sync and reach the finish lin.. ideally without crashing into turtles (more on that later)

At a glance, it looked like a colourful competition: matching jerseys clung tightly to sun-warmed skin under life jackets, and each boat had its own drummer whose tempo controlled the pace.

“This event is significant in many ways,” said Chinese ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, acknowledging the two months of meticulous preparation by the Chinese community

It has demonstrated respect, unity and the spirit of the Global Civilization Initiative.”

The Entebbe Dragon Boat Festival was a vibrant celebration of the traditional Chinese Duanwu festival, uniting locals and Chinese expats on Lake Victoria.

The event brought together people from different backgrounds, shifting the usual diplomatic settings to a more dynamic and fun environment – the water.

Chinese Ambassador to Uganda, Zhang Lizhong, praised the two months of meticulous preparation by the Chinese community, highlighting the event’s significance. With 8 teams competing, the goal was clear: paddle in sync and reach the finish line without any unexpected surprises – like crashing into turtles!

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