UNCC partners with Mgahinga Cultural Centre to set up a regional arts center in Western Uganda

By Najib Mulema

Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) has today signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mgahinga Cultural and Craft Centre which is aimed at establishing a regional arts and cultural center in Western Uganda.

The partnership deed was reached during a media conference that took place at UNCC offices at National Theatre.

The regional Center in Western Uganda will be located within Mgahinga Cultural and Craft Centre just adjacent to Mgahinga Gorilla National Park.

Mr. Francis Peter Ojede, the UNCC Executive Director revealed that the regional center will help to bring arts and cultural activities nearer to people who are unable to access them in Kampala .

He said most of the activities have been centered in the city which made it difficult for people upcountry to benefit from them yet there a lot of talents in the rural areas.

“Unfortunately, most of the activities have been centered in Kampala which makes it difficult for the upcountry to benefit from them yet there are a lot of talents out there. It is upon this background that UNCC embarked on a mission to establish regional centers,” said Mr. Ojede.

“This partnership is going to help us expand and strengthen the cultural programming and services, and also engaging new audiences for the two institutions,” he added.

Mr. Ojede also noted that the initiative will soon spread out to other regions of the country thus calling upon all individuals and institutions to partner with UNCC to make the goal achievable.

Speaking at the same event, Mr. Herbert Mugisha, the Mgahinga Cultural and Craft Centre said the regional center will among others take theatre to people, identify and promote talent in Western Uganda, create employment among the youth through performing arts as well as stimulating business and bringing about development in the area.

Apparently, the partnership has a series of events lined up such as Ngagi Fest (6^th to 8^th October,2018) and UNCC Annual art and cultural Festival (3^RD  to 4^th November, 2018).