By Robinah Nanyondo/ Julius Mugaga- Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: While presiding over ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023’ organized by Nigerian High Commission in Uganda, Culture Minister Hon. Peace Mutuuzo ‘we are not gay to accept homosexuality in Uganda. We and the youth shall fight to the end and defeat it’.
(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, Hon. Peace Mutuuzo- Uganda’s State Minister for Gender in charge of Gender & Cultural Affairs with H.E. Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima- High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania to Uganda and Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda on either sides drumming in African way. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“It is not the bums they are looking for but they are trying to change our mindset and we shall not accept that”. Stated Minister Mutuuzo.
She said that, met President Museveni and asked him to secure for them land where we shall establish the Centre to keep all Art pieces in that it will be easy for people to access and get a variety from one point.
She believed that, if the latter is executed, ‘we shall be able to develop our Art industry and use it to impact on national development and upload accepted norms of culture’.
(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda with Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre are seen at My Impression Arts Competition 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Addresing the congregation at the Nigeria-Uganda Arts Competition tagged “My Impression Arts Competition 2023”, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda, H.E Ismail A. Alatise mentioned that as part of their efforts to promote cultural relation between Nigeria and Uganda, the High Commission considered it worthwhile to organize the Arts Competition Cum Exhibition in collaboration with the Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) to give our young creative compatriots the opportunity to work on the theme: “My impression of Nigeria, My impression of Uganda”.
(L-R) H.E. Dr. Aziz Ponary Mlima- High Commissioner of United Republic of Tanzania receives a souvenir from H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He said, the competition also aimed at deepening creative and cultural ties, Pan-Africanism and cultural exchange between the two countries.
“We are here therefore, to bear witness to what kind of impression our young Nigerians have of Uganda as well as the impression of our young Ugandans about Nigeria”. He remarked.
(L-R) H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda receives a souvenir from H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“A picture is worth a thousand words”. ‘Art speaks its own language whether it is a painting, sculpture, dance routine or your favourite song. Art is able to say things that words sometimes can’t. It’s an international language that anyone from anywhere can understand’. He emphasized.
“I am confident that this is the inspiration of our young experts gathered here tonight which would speak to the national consciousness of our two countries and discretely push for a change with just a paint and a brush in hand, a political and non-violent positive change”. He added.
H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda and beloved wife are seen at the event. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
H.E Alatise believed that it would be interesting to see that, in their (young artists) skillful hands, art functions as a medium of interpreting society, what is going on around us, our characters and our way of life as a nation.
He stated that it is pertinent to mention here that ‘at times paintings may depict a not- very-pleasant impression about a particular culture or society, yet that would be a perfect reflection of the imagination of the artist, not necessarily a factual representation due to limitation of exposure and understanding at the time of translating the product of mind to a visual impression. It is like the parable of the proverbial elephant and the blind man’.
Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese (in yellow), the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda award one of the best performers in the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
He iterated that art is culture and Culture is a powerful tool to build bridges between people, notably the young, and to reinforce mutual understanding. Culture can also be an engine for economic and social development and become a vector for economic growth. ‘It is my hope that this collaboration to enhance cultural relations between the two countries and showcase Africanism would be sustained’.
With him at the sidelines of the event, Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) stated that Artily culture has been pronounced very clearly as one of the principles and one of the tenants for transformation of this country. Its one of the ways in which the National Development Plan is using for mindset change and social transformation.
Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) addresses the congregation. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
“It is very clearly articulated in NDP under those two areas which is being championed by the ministry of gender, labor and social development. It also cuts across other sectors like science and technology”. Said Mr. Ojede.
He emphasized that Art is very important aspect of any development and it’s going to be more pronounced because it is a clear realization that art and culture cannot be blushed aside.
“Art and culture is the way of life and therefore it provides the basis tenants in everything we do. It cuts across ourselves in the clothes we put on, the architecture in terms of houses that we build and we go into the tools that we use in our houses and offices”. Said Mr. Ojede.
(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda with Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the Executive Director of Uganda National Cultural Centre consult during ‘My Impression Arts Competition 2023′ at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Artily culture is very broad concept that runs through many domains that is visual art, performing art, architecture, film and others.
He highlighted that Art is no longer seen as entertainment and education but also becoming one of the aspects of economic development, it helps in social transformation and also does edutainment. Therefore, art plays a fundamental role not only to the development but also the society.
He also mentioned that ‘Art also empowers the people, creates employment and it is also one of the most powerful things that we can echo to if this country is to develop’.
Below are the overall successful artists of the competition in order of performance.
PICTORIAL OF MAJOR EVENTS AT THE AWARD CEREMONY. All Photos by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Congregation at ‘My Impression Arts Comopetition 2023’.
(L-R) Veteran musician Hon. Rechael Magoola, H.E Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda, H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda, H.E Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushebeye- Burundian High Commissioner to Uganda attend the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ award ceremony at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
(R-L) Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda and veteran musician Hon. Rechael Magoola are seen at the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
(R-L) Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda and H.E Mohammed Sulieman Ahmed- Ambassador/Dean of Republic of Eritrea to Uganda interact with their phones at the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala. Photo by Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa.
Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese (in yellow), the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda looks at the Art pieces during the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023 at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala.
Her Excellency Sara Wolelaw Melese, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopian Embassy’s Charge d’Affairs, Public Diplomacy & Diaspora Affairs to Uganda gets excited at the Art pieces.
H.E Epiphanie Ntamwana Kabushebeye- Burundian High Commissioner to Uganda expresses excitement at Art pieces made by youth during ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ award ceremony at Nommo Gallery, Nakasero-Kampala.
Phillip Barimunsi, the Manager Nommo Gallery speaks to the congregation during ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ .
Judges of the the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′ are seen waiting for their awards.
(L-R) H.E Ismail A. Alatise, Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda awards one of the successful artists of the ‘MY IMPRESSION ART COMPETITION 2023′.
Talented ladies entertain the congregation.