CCFU Annual report 2016 Final

with stories of con artists and human rights
abuses, resulting in endless controversy. A recent
report notes that Ugandans have a tendency to
switch religions more than any other people in
Africa – could this possibly mean that, in spite
of ‘modernity’ and religious conversion, culture
indeed still matters?
In conclusion…
2016 amply demonstrates that yes,
culture matters. It matters because
it provides a sense of belonging and
collective memory which many will
fight to protect. It informs our ability
to learn and to express meaning –
ultimately manifested in our actions. It
matters because it motivates people
to mobilise around issues that they
believe are important for their lives
and that of future generations. And it matters
because it triggers a sense of responsibility for
the less privileged in society. Culture is thus
about power and sharing resources, and hence
assumes an important political and development
dimension.
Yet, if culture mattered so much in 2016, why is
Uganda the only East African country without a
Ministry of Culture? Why is the national budget
allocation to culture well below 1%? Why is
valuable tangible and intangible cultural heritage
safeguarded
from without
rather than
from within?
Why do
Ugandans
have to study
anthropology,
heritage or
m u s e u m
studies in universities outside the country? These
are questions CCFU will address itself in the
course of the coming year.
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