…The repetitive phrases in “Embraces at Bedtime” call to mind the intimacy and comfort lost between a mother and her daughter when the mother is scarred by sexual abuse from their own childhood. The underlying narrative casts a sinister shadow
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Year: 2019
Who has the right to make an “African film”? Can filmmakers who do not originate from the continent make such films that reference the continent? Who decides this? This an many more questions were raised during a conversation between Samuel Lutaaya Tebandeke (Ugandan filmmaker) and David Cecil (British producer) on British-Ugandan production Imperial Blue.
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What does a group of artists with backgrounds in different fields have in common when they come together to work on a topic as huge and as controversial as Gender Equity? Actress and creative mind Esteri Tebandeke reflects on a co-creation process initiated by Design Hub and Hivos.
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In “What it is”, Arinda returns to the theme of abuse and traces the cycles of violence, pain, and (internalised) patriarchy from formative experiences of girlhood to relate them to womanhood as Ugandan women may experience it now.
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There is a popular prevailing assumption that when you make a hit song, you break through and achieve lots of success. The reality is very sobering. Every music artist must have a side hustle or alternative streams of income other than recording and performing music. Acaye Elizabeth Pamela dives into the Ugandan music industry and speaks to some key players to investigate where the money is in music.
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What happens when 5 artists are given a platform to work on a social topic that aims to create and diversify debate in society? As a member of this first Artistic Expression Lab, visual artist Matt Kayem reflects on the topic of Freedom of Expression and the social art experiment they initiated.
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Writer Gloria Kiconco introduces a new poetry series by Daphine Arinda titled “What it is”, The series traces the journey from girlhood to womanhood. Arinda is one of the few poets in Uganda to explore erotica, a genre that is challenging, sensitive, and often politicised. It is easy to dismiss erotica as a genre. It is easy to assume it has no power or deep social and political influence because it is pornographic.
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In the poem “Loose”, Daphine Arinda satirises the term used to describe women who are comfortable expressing their sexual desires. A woman who dresses sexy, dances wildly, enjoys sexual encounters is labelled “loose”. She is more of a threat because she does this for herself. Arinda claims this word for a positive use, aligning it to its other meaning, one akin to freedom. The woman in this poem becomes one who is free to enjoy her sexuality, saying, “But dignity and self-respect are MINE/ mine to lose.”
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Rosey’s Ssembatya’s mobile children’s library brings with it new ideas and approaches to reading and children. It is a unique arts innovation because; it focuses on children, their reading abilities, what they read, reading for fun, who reads for them. It also has a business niche to it. Tapping into a new young generation of readers, in a decade, we won’t have ‘Ugandans don’t read’ kind of phrases anymore.
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You walk my city With the freedom of sure feet Which touch inch and inch of sacred land Aware of the pleasure induced Aware that this is a trespass. My body is a curving case of crystals With each fondle,
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Why isn’t there enough to talk about high art in the Ugandan context? The most important ingredient for a thriving art scene seems to be missing: commerce. The Ugandan art scene has a strong influence from the Makerere school of
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32° East | Ugandan Arts Trust is an independent non-profit organisation, focused on the creation and exploration of contemporary art in Uganda. Their multi-purpose resource centre is based in the capital city Kampala and includes studios, accommodation for artists in
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One Ten on 7th is venue to the a night market a massive and engaging event that encapsulates cultural and global village. It also provides a home to Wild Coffee bar, Afriart Gallery, Sue Ochola’s De Roy champagne bar and
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Design Hub Kampala is an innovative creative co-working space in Kampala. The 2000sqm renovated warehouse recently opened its doors to a collaborative work environment where different people (entrepreneurs, freelancers, designers, writers, product developers, marketing minds, tech start-ups, and makers) can
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UNCC, also known at the National Theater aims to be a vibrant institution guided by unity in diversity, integrity and relevance to national development, nourishing, celebrating and promoting Art and Culture. Enjoy the quality programs of music, film, dance and
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Boutiq Foundation is a Ugandan community-based arts and culture incubator with a global vision, based in the Makindye district of Kampala. Over the past three years, Boutiq has organised events, music and film productions, established Nyege Nyege Festival, a pioneering three day
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ONE54 (former Tilapia) is located in Bunga, Kampala. There is a bar, restaurant, concert hall, cinema and comfy open-air terrace and a parking on the backside. They are bringing Live Music, Cinema, Performance, Art, Poetry, Soccer and other Entertainment to
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The 5 star theater interior and facilities that have been installed far surpassed everybody’s expectations. The class is unparalleled and the fittings rival those of any world class outfit. Visit Cafe la Bonita and enjoy a sumptuous snack or the
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The Alliance Française in Kampala encourages and promotes active, open connections between people in Uganda and French language and culture. It provides the means by which people can learn the French language and become engaged in the many different aspects
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The Square is a space that nurtures and supports innovation, creativity, the arts, culture and storytelling. Some of their annual events include Kampala Design Week, Writivism – Literature Festival, Uganda Press Photo Awards and the SWARM tech summit. The rooftop
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