In 2008, when it was all nothing but a new festival, they were known as Bayimba International Music and Arts Festival, then taking place at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds. Much as it was a three day event, it’s been widely said that the edition was a flop that only managed to …
Read More »Herman Basudde: portrait of a musical prophet
Ugandan music has indeed come from a place of deep thought, sorrowful and immerses talent. There was a time artistes mostly went to studio not because it was an obligation to record music but because they indeed had something to say; and that’s the story of Herman Basudde’s classic, Bus …
Read More »Tope Oshin, talks Amaka’s Kin and film making
Amaka’s Kin: The Women of Nollywood will be screening at the debut edition of Nteredde Documentary Showcase at Wizarts Media in Ntinda later this month. We caught up with the director of the documentary to talk about her film and the industry. You’ve been known in many circles as a …
Read More »Doadoa: Packaging East African music for the world
The idea of Doadoa Performing Arts Market has always been mind bogging for both the audience and the artistes. At one point, you will find many thinking it is a festival or a gathering, but it is an East African performing arts market that looks at creating conversations, networking, bridging …
Read More »Local films to deal consistency card in 2017
Problems facing Ugandan film are not going away tomorrow, especially with the fact that like all other arts, they are yet to be recognized or protected by authorities. 2016 has not been one of the best years, but definitely one of those that film looked beyond making films, and actually …
Read More »Recollecting the tunes of Buganda’s lost sounds
Buganda determined to find her lost sound The journey to save Buganda music from the brink of extinction has been ongoing for more than two decades, according to Abdu Naru Kimbowa, a former player of the entamiivu – a drum usually accompanied by a xylophone. Kimbowa says the first time …
Read More »Recollecting the tunes of Buganda’s lost sounds
Entamiivu It is easy to imagine nothing happens in the areas of Kitovu, Kasana/Katoogo in Mukono district. The brown dust that envelopes your feet, eyes and hair plus the quietness give it the sense of a forlorn community. The well-organised compounds, moderate houses all have evidence of life, yet there …
Read More »Shall women ever play Omweso?
Omweso is an African game believed to have been brought by the Bachwezi. Prevailing in Buganda, it was an abomination for women to engage in this male-dominated pastime. As ANDREW KAGGWA writes, the question on women ever defying the speculative stereotypes and engage in the game still stands. Startled, …
Read More »Fete De Le Musique capitalizes on creating new spaces
During the tension that arose between Uganda National Cultural Center (UNCC) and the artists earlier this year, it was claimed that the management was giving away a performance space to wedding meeting, commercial promotions and thus leaving the arts in the cold. Much as the artists were right, another school …
Read More »Artistes struggle to reclaim National Theatre
Established in 1959 by an Act of Parliament, Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) best known as National Theatre is struggling to keep its flag high. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was the epitome of Uganda’s creativity in arts. So, one would wonder, what happened?Last week, two shows that included …
Read More »