KAMPALA — Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) has unveiled plans for the 4th Annual Arts and Culture festival 2022—promising it will be full of flair, fun and feasting.
UNCC Executive Director, Francis Peter Ojede told UG Standard on Tuesday that the much sought-after three day event—starteting on October 7 seeks to take stock of the country’s evolving Arts and Culture since 1962—60 years since Uganda attained her independence.
Mr. Ojede said that UNCC, the lead event organizers—needs upto UGX 3.8 billion to pull off the Carnival, dubbed ‘UG@60’.
“We decided that the 4th edition should concide with the independence celebrations. We will want to take stock of what has happened in the arts and culture since independence,” he said, he telling reporters that the event will bring together all the cultural institutions to show case their cultural prowesses.
“We chose that we do it in a special way. We’re going to have what we call a Carnival. There will be a big Carnival which will start from Wandegeya, running through the the city centre going to Jinja road and then we comeback and converge near the railway station where will stage a big event,” Mr. Ojede said.
“We will do alot of fireworks, dance and local food”.
He said the festival is aimed at preserving history and tradition and strives to stimulate the local economy, entertain and involve the community and visitors in a fun–filled atmosphere.
He explained that businesses willing to participate in the carnival will be required to pay some money, adding that booking of space starts is already underway.
He called upon all Ugandans to join UNCC in celebrating this year’s Art and Culture festival.
UNCC is a body established by an Act of Parliament in 1954 and it is charged with the responsibilities of encouraging and developing Art and culture in Uganda and to promote, popuralize Art and culture.
Uganda had its independence on 9th October 1962 which will be 60 years on 9th October 2022.
Unveiling a new logo, State Minister for Gender and Cultural Affairs
Peace Mutuuzo, said government is committed to supporting the arts and culture sector in Uganda.
“The government working tirelessly to ensure that arts and culture sector is strengthened to enable it realize its full potential,” the Minister said, adding that several interventions have been done including reviewing the exisiting laws aimed at strengthening instutions and key players in the sector as well as regulating it.
Others include strengthning the enforcement of the copyright law.
“We are also committed to ensuring that the sector is streamlined and am happy to see that National Culture Forum, National Union and Creatives Performing Artists and Allied Workers and Uganda Musicians Association now recognize under one agency t Centre (UNCC) as their commander,” Mutuuzo said.
