CCFU Annual report 2016 Final

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of the Rwenzururu Kingdom, including Omusinga Charles Mumbere. Some members of the public called for a review of the Traditional and Cultural Leaders’ Act to mitigate conflicts caused by gaps in the current law, especially where potentially competing cultural institutions are active in the same geo-cultural space. Cultural markers, symbols of our history and identity. Tangible and intangible culture can be identified, represented and safeguarded in many different ways. Buildings and sites represent human intellect and creativity, the history of a people, the identity of a place, the social order of a community and its respect for nature. This year, the Mayor of Jinja and the Busoga kingdom halted the demolition of the Ripon Falls Hotel for its historical significance – as one of the country’s first hotels and the place where Queen Elizabeth II shared a meal with Kyabazinga Nadiope on her 1954 visit to Uganda. In Masaka, Our Lady of the Rosary Narozali Catholic Church, still standing after 115 years, marks the first years of the White Fathers in the country, and efforts to maintain the 2000-seater structure are taking into account its original architectural workmanship. Similar efforts with the Bugomba-Mapera Catholic Church in Kalangala are underway. Such initiatives are not always emulated. In the Tooro Kingdom, a controversial proposal to turn the Council Chambers into a hotel was eventually agreed upon. Plans by Government to construct two 20-storied buildings in the parking lot of the Uganda National Cultural Centre (pictured above) sparked spirited reactions from artists and the general public, who demanded that the integrity of Uganda’s only National Theatre be protected. Across the country, the remarkable efforts of individuals and institutions to preserve these symbols of our history and culture demonstrate that culture matters! Mother tongue, the foundation for understanding and learning. The merits and demerits of the thematic curriculum have gripped educationalists since it was introduced ten years ago. Claims that learning in one’s mother tongue enhances retention of knowledge, confidence, improves learner-parent relations, and enhances guardians’ appreciation of education have encouraged advocates of the thematic curriculum and have even led to suggestions to include it in the nursery school curriculum. The Kabaka of Buganda has urged teachers and school proprietors to teach Luganda to cement the kingdom’s culture and norms. Ekisaakate, a cultural heritage education initiative established by the Queen of Buganda marked 10 years, while in Buruuli, the cultural institution supported the development of Ruruuli language school books. During the election period, councillors across the country struggled to swear their oaths in English and Mukono Town Council resolved to conduct meetings in Luganda. Some argued that the death of our languages will result in the demise of oral traditions and expressions - the mainstay of many of our cultures. Some parents across the country have however expressed the fear that their children will be disadvantaged because they are not able to speak and write in English at an early age. This, coupled with limited resources, and inadequate teacher competence and willingness, has resulted in only half the schools in the country taking up the thematic curriculum, according to the Ministry of Education. Showcasing our oral traditions. Oral traditions define Uganda’s diverse cultures but this valuable knowledge needs to be captured and passed on to the next generations in a medium that will stand the test of time. In 2016, we were reminded of this wealth. Kabann Kabananukye captured the knowledge of elders in his book on “Clans and Totems of the Banyakigezi.” Sr Dominic Dipio captured a Ma’di custom in a film “Rainmaking: a Disappearing Practice”. This is still 4
alive amongst the Iteso in Amuria district, who performed it – and received a downpour! Uganda’s submission for the urgent safeguarding of its sixth element, the Ma’di Bowl Lyre music and dance (O’di) was approved under the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Bayimba Cultural Foundation held the ninth edition of its International Festival of Arts which brought together renowned artistes and showed African absenteeism and early marriages that sometimes result from this practice. Elsewhere, reports on female genital mutilation by communities from Kween and Bukwo illustrated the resilience of cultural beliefs and customs. Despite being illegal in Uganda and despite spirited denouncement by civil society actors, the practice continues, often across the border. As the Sabiny demonstrate that their culture matters, there is a need to understand their cultural logic and to employ appreciative inquiry, which may yield better results than the forceful application of the law. The right to access, express and enjoy one’s culture is often taken for granted until one is deprived of it, as illustrated by Ankole loyalists who continued to demand the restoration of their kingdom, abolished in 1967.The Benet who were evicted from the forests of Mt Elgon; and Batwa communities who were expelled from Bwindi and Semuliki forests (pictured), demanded films. The National Museum co-organised a colourful national cultural exhibition which attracted a diversity of actors from across the country, and Uganda displayed this diversity at international exhibitions in Italy and in the United States. Exercising cultural rights. 2016 was the year of the Imbalu, the customary circumcision rites performed by the Bamasaba. The traditional drums were heard in all corners of the country and demonstrated the importance of this cultural right. Rights must however be accompanied by responsibility and the public raised concern about the promiscuity, school land and access to their cultural resources. They are also deprived of adequate education and other services - marginalised because of their cultural identity and small numbers. Various actors attempted to bring this situation to the attention of policy makers and implementers. It is anticipated that the first Member of Parliament from the ethnic minority Ik community will add his voice to alert the public about the concerns of indigenous minorities. Traditional ancestral beliefs are rarely a proudly exhibited public affair. Yet, people of all walks of life will exercise their cultural right and visit shrines for worship and thanksgiving. Today, shrines are however dubbed hubs of witchcraft, and riddled 5
Page 1 and 2: Does Culture Matter? The CCFU Annua
Page 3 and 4: A Word from the Board Public discus
Page 5: Does culture matter? Cultural affai
Page 9 and 10: Programme Highlights 7
Page 11 and 12: 2. Cultural rights are also human r
Page 13 and 14: The Six 2016 National Heritage Awar
Page 15 and 16: Our built heritage must be saved Th
Page 17 and 18: In the coming year… We anticipate
Page 19 and 20: 17

CCFU Annual report 2016 Final

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