House of Talent Troupe perfoming inside National Theatre Auditorium.
PHOTOS | PATRICK SSENTONGO
The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) celebrated its fifth Annual Arts and Culture Festival, highlighting the theme “Celebrating our Cultural Diversity for Mindset Change.” This two-day event took place at both UNCC centres, the National Theatre and Nommo Gallery, starting on Friday.
In a departure from previous editions, the festival showcased Uganda’s cultural heritage through a variety of activities. The program included cultural performances, a thought-provoking symposium, engaging workshops, exhibitions, a fashion runway, and captivating displays of music, dance, and drama.
Notable performers who graced the stage included Suzan Kerunen, Annet Nandujja & the Planets, the renowned Hadija Namale of “Mukulike Omwaka” fame, Hanny Ssensuwa, gospel sensation John Marie, Eli Bulamu, Andeleya Baguma, and poet Mitch Isabirye, among other entertainers.
One of the festival’s highlights was the focus on exhibitions that unveiled Uganda’s rich cultural heritage. Notable among these exhibitions was Rebecca Angella Nakaweesa’s Solo Exhibition, “The Curious World of Humans.” This exhibition creatively explored social terrains and aimed to inspire a positive evolution of African cultural values, addressing the historical identity crisis faced by African communities during de-colonial discourses.
Nakaweesa’s exhibition featured twenty-nine skillfully rendered paintings that delved deep into the concept of cultural identity, using “Carpenter Ants” as a metaphor to encourage open-mindedness while discussing this sensitive topic.
Adding a touch of glamour to the festival was a grand Fashion Runway event that showcased the nation’s diverse fashion sensibilities.
Robert Musiitwa, Head of Public Relations at UNCC, explained that the festival’s core purpose was to bring together art and culture enthusiasts to celebrate and promote Uganda’s rich cultural tapestry. It provided a platform for artists to exhibit their work while preserving and showcasing Uganda’s heritage, traditions, and creative processes.
The UNCC Festival serves as a unifying platform for Ugandans who hold a deep appreciation for their art and culture, offering a space to celebrate and bolster their rich heritage. It primarily provides a national stage for Ugandan Art and Culture practitioners to proudly exhibit their creative works, preserving and sharing their traditions and creative processes.
