”START – A Journal of Arts and Culture” is a Kampala-based online journal covering Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literature, Music and any other creative industry in the region. Start was published four times as a printed magazine between 2007 and 2010, but went online in December 2010.

The website publishes monthly editions filled with special analysis, art critiques, artist interviews and other stories about the arts and culture scene in Kampala and beyond.

START is targeting artists, art promoters and other art professionals, or anyone else with a special interest for original East African arts and culture.

With the move from a static, printed version to a dynamic, online website, START will offer a forum and a meeting place where different types of contributors present their view on the current art scene. From good quality content written by regular contributors and invited authors, and out of the moderated discussion forums, you will hopefully be able to explore and learn about the talented artists originated in East Africa.

START is aiming at monthly editions consisting of 5-7 articles. Subscribers will receive an e-mail with highlights whenever a new edition hits the virtual streets of the net. In addition to that, the contributors will update you on whatever event is on. The STARTJOURNAL.ORG will also contain pages with links to who, what, where and when.

START is always looking for contributors, if you have strong views and good knowledge of the local arts scene and the will to write about it, please click here for information on how to become a STARTer.

The editorial team

Editor: Thomas Bjørnskau

Thomas Bjørnskau is a 43-year old Norwegian living in Kampala. He has ten years experience in the field of interactive communication. He is a published writer. Thomas has lived in Hong Kong, Beijing and Vienna and is currently the Editor of Start Journal. Call Thomas at 0787 896 193 or email: editor@startjournal.org.
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Member of Startjournal editorial board: George W. Kyeyune

Dr George Kyeyune is an associate professor at Makerere University art school and definitely Uganda’s leading expressionist, who has helped many local artists and viewers find themselves in his simple narratives about urban life in Kampala.
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Member of Startjournal editorial board: Doreen Baingana

Doreen Baingana is a Ugandan writer and author of Tropical Fish: Stories out of Entebbe, which she won an Association of Writers & Writing Programs Prize for Short Fiction (2003) and a Commonwealth Prize (2005). She has also won the Washington Independent Writers Fiction Prize and been nominated twice for the Caine Prize. She lived in the US for sixteen years before returning to Uganda, where she is currently Chairperson of Femrite: Uganda Women Writers’ Association.

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Member of Startjournal editorial board: Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza

Dr. Sylvia Nannyonga-Tamusuza is an Associate Professor of Music at Makerere University in the Department of Performing Arts and Film. She is a published author on topics including but not limited to: popular music, church music, school music competitions, archiving audio-visual culture, gender, dance, and music, including a full-length book titled: Baakisimba:  Gender in Music and Dance of the Baganda People of Uganda (2005) published by Routledge.
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The Start-team

Startjournal founding member: Daudi Karungi “mover”

Daudi is a man with a strong character and opinion. When you meet him, it is hard not to get caught by his enthusiasm and ideas. If Daudi sees an opportunity and believes in it he won’t need much time; before you realise he has pulled all the right strings and things are moving. He is a talented visual artist, and at the same time a successful businessman; a valuable combination of traits which helps him to achieve his aspirations in life. Website daudikarungi.com. In January 2012 Daudi stepped out of the Editorial team of startjournal.org.

Daudi is founder of Kampala Arts Trust and START Journal.
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Startjournal founding member: Henry Mzili Mujunga “dreamer”

Henry Mzili Mujunga is a very ‘deep waters’ man! He dreams most of the time about art (visions of grandeur?). He insists that African art forms the gist of modern art and as such ought to be at the fore front of things! Henry is an eclectic artist who enjoys painting, printmaking, and conceptual art. His art has been exhibited extensively throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe. He is the co-founder of the Kampala Arts Trust and the Start Journal of Arts and Culture. In January 2012 Henry stepped out of the Editorial team of startjournal.org, but he is regularly contributing as a writer.

Henry is founder of Kampala Arts Trust and START Journal.
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Webdesigner/webmaster: Jantien Zuurbier – designer

Jantien has been traveling around the globe looking for beautiful things in life. Although she has a MSc in Management of Agricultural Knowledge and Social Change, she came to realise that (her own) development needed a different path. She therefore completely shifted careers when she moved to Uganda and is now successful web designer. Jantien is currently running The Hub, a flexible workspace for any small business or freelancers in Kampala.