Celebrating Uganda's Festive Art Scene

There is no place quite like Africa to offer such a vast treasure trove of natural wonders and weave a cultural tapestry spinning back thousands of years. Mother continent and beginnings of civilization, tourists across the globe love to visit its many landmarks for experiences which last a lifetime.

The region of East Africa is particularly popular for its excellent offering of wilderness and wildlife, home to some of the world’s most distinct nature reserves. Inspired out of these landscapes is a stunning cultural legacy of art, music, and literature, which is celebrated throughout the year.

Life in Colour: Promoting the Arts

What East Africa has to offer in natural magnificence, it parallels with an exuberant culture which is often overlooked by tourism yet has much to offer. 32° East - The Ugandan Arts Trust offers a variety of resources and programs to build exposure to some of the finest works in the rapidly growing artist community. The programs engage discussion on ways to face some of the challenges of the contemporary artist community, offer workshops, online seminars with leading artists, projects, university curriculums, and festivals. While art as a medium for expression has been integral to the identity of Ugandan culture, the tourism industry is beginning to see the marketing potential of the Ugandan arts scene as well as its cultural importance. Guiding the limelight towards the finest in literature and performance as well as the visual arts is gradually filling the festival calendar across the East African panorama, as well as directing investments towards local economies.

International Festivals & Key Highlights

The Bayimba International Festival of the Arts is a multi-faceted annual event, celebrating music, dance, theater, and film from both rising and renowned artists and is held during the third week of September in the capital. Its exuberant, innovative and progressive program is inclusive to topical themes, global and local cultural influences, and the collaboration on and of new ideas. Its success has taken off to make it one of the top 10 festivals in Africa and is Uganda’s premier arts event, with over 55,000 spectators participating in 2011. The call for artists in the 2013 season is currently open.

The International Women’s Day Festival in Uganda has been embracing the worldwide celebration of women for over 50 years, and devotes a section of its events towards female artists and their work. This year, the Arts Space featured lecturers from Makarere and Kyambogo University organized by 32° Ugandan Arts Trust, as well as legendary artists delivering workshops about various mediums and genres in art, what to know about copyright, and encouraging the public to engage in activities and discussions geared towards the role of women in the future.

Contemporary Art

The first ever Kampala Contemporary Art Festival – KLA ART 012 – was held last year in October, featuring 12 artists and 12 locations. Storytelling sessions, the discussion of sculpture as a tool for communication against HIV/AIDS, urban fashion, art films about women and sexuality, recreating the modern urban space as a mode for creativity, and numerous other highlights made the program a success.

Another great event which brings to life the vibrancy and variety of contemporary Ugandan life is the Laba! Street Art Festival. A rich journey of eclectic mediums which usher in the edgy and underground make it a draw for art enthusiasts, drawing in impressive crowds at the end of May. Last year’s theme was Liberation. Arts. Participation.

Cultural Centres & National Stage

The Ndere Centre is Kampala’s “home of culture,” featuring the renowned Ndere Troupe who specialize in blending modern and traditional dance, music, and drama. Continuing the great oral tradition of African poetry and performance, the troupe have been crowned “Africa’s dancing encyclopedia”. Celebrating the region’s historical richness as well as a contributing voice for topical issues, the Ndere Troupe serve as Uganda’s cultural ambassadors. An interesting review of one of their performances can be found here.

Uganda’s presence on the arts circuit continues to grow, with the country elected to chair the first East African Arts Festival in February of next year, held in Rwanda. Fellow participants include Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, following the theme of uniting East African communities through cultural industries. An exciting selection of arts, crafts, music, fashion and food is anticipated.

Enjoyed Year Round

The Ugandan festival venue isn’t the only route to taking in the country’s artistic abundance. The Nommo Gallery is Uganda’s National Art Gallery and has an extensive library of important pieces, and the Afriart Gallery is a gateway into the region’s fascinating contemporary art world.

The Uganda Arts and Crafts Village is a delightful trove of paintings, ceramics, and other crafts that are purchasable. Many local communities promote their economies through authentic and high-quality works which a big draws for tourists. So when visiting the beautiful East African nation, make sure to take time and let the region’s thriving arts scene reveal its splendor.

Article Contributed by Annie Lamb