YESU Mag: Homosexuality is an Evil Spirit...

The first week of October 2008 was awash with fresh news that homosexuality is contaminating a few born again churches in Uganda. Whether this is fabrication or gospel truth, all I know is that it’s all supernatural. I was in a single sex Catholic school for four years (1997 to 2000) and even the altar boys were accused of forming a homosexual group commonly known among peers as STC. Twenty students one year ahead of us were expelled due to this perversion. One notorious classmate though in Stream C was finally expelled during our Senior 4 simply because he was reported to have peeped at a Senior 1 in the latrine. During our Senior 2, he had tried to grab my ‘willy’ one Saturday morning but I woke up fast and chased him away like a nightmare. My earliest encounter with a homosexual came when some kid from the neighbourhood wanted me to be a ‘bitch’ and he tried to snog me but when he said our ‘willys’ should touch (like Frottage), I said ‘No’ and chased him out of my room. He even tried to steal my toy helicopter bought for me as a Christmas gift but my observation instincts were way ahead of his perversion. Tell Angela that I don’t love Ben (like a Homo); I can only love Esther, Ruth or Delilah!” Despite lusting for girls during childhood, I fought my battles well. I never gave in to homosexual thoughts even if people practiced the vice. Many verses in the Quran condemn Homosex and one of them Surah Al Araf (Chapter 7) says in Verse 80, "And remember Lot when he said to his People, Do ye commit a Wickedness, wherein no Creature has set you an Example? Do ye approach lustfully unto Men, leaving the Women? Certainly ye are People who transgress all Modesty."

Flashback 24th June 2000: In the night from Friday evening to Saturday morning, I got up from my bed and went outside the dorm to pee in the loos. While outside, I saw a student walking slowly. He was coming from either the Kakoozan or Mugwanyan Senior 3 and 4 wing. I ignored him for a moment but when I looked at him again, I saw him walking towards the door of our Lourdelian Senior 3 and 4 wing. I couldn’t figure out the appearance of his face because it was dark. However, I noticed that he was wearing black trousers and jacket and he wasn’t short but rather of a medium height. After this, I went to class where I met J. Nkosa and R. Muliika (We nicknamed him the ‘First Black Pope’). At about 20 minutes to 4 AM, Nkosa left the class after telling me to wake him up and R. Kazibwe as well (at 5 AM like I used to wake up guys as Timekeeper the previous year). Muliika followed him at around 4 AM. Because I was the only guy reading in 4A and also because I was fearful that I couldn’t protect myself if foreigners invaded the school, I decided to go to Senior 2B which is at the safer end of the Administration Block. (We were robbed on Independence Night - 9th October 1997 - while in Senior 1 adjacent to Senior 2B - My beloved Longman Dictionary was taken from Muliika’s unlocked desk, saw it on sale at Nasser Road, Kampala - and also during our Senior 4 despite the presence of Group 4 Security but this time nothing of mine was snatched). I read for only 50 minutes and at a few minutes to 5 AM, I switched off the lights in 2B. While going down the steps outside 2B, I met Lugemwa and Mutex who were proceeding to our stream. I only bypassed them without a greeting. At the quadrangle gate, I met Ssekitto who was also proceeding to class and I talked to him for a short while. When I stepped onto the verandah of our Lourdelian Wing, I heard people’s voices. Because I was curious to know what was going on (Curiosity killed the cat – I must have had the Eye of a Leopard), I stopped, turned to face the Kiwanukan showers and saw a number of people moving towards the verandah on which I was standing. They seemed rare persons in the dark but I never wanted to believe that they were non-SMACKists, the tall P. Nyanzi could have been among them. I tried to recognize their voices but failed. They drew closer to me at a constant and slightly quick speed. What would you do if you saw the cursed pirates who had turned into ghosts in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean” drawing closer to you like they are about to attack anything in their way? When the mob reached a certain murram path in front of the dorm, I became afraid and thought that they were coming to attack me so I ran towards my bed on the extreme end of the Senior 4 wing and just sat while gently placing my books on it. I didn’t even try to pretend that I had been sleeping. Immediately, the dorm which I had found quiet milliseconds ago became alive. The mob wielding sticks shouted for the lights to be put on because I hear someone had been trying to rape a Senior 3 Mugwanyan and ran into the Lourdel wing. Can you imagine a rape in a single sex Catholic school (with boys only)? We lived in a quadrangle. The only way out was either the single main gate or the forbidden “Air France” (through the glass windows) and over the fence. Now where had the guy passed? He must still be inside, the mob reasoned. Someone bravely came up and said the guy had passed near my bed, probably stepped on my blue metallic trunk (case) which was on the floor and gone through the window because he heard footsteps towards my bed. Wondering what would happen if the guys believed that it was me and suddenly lynched me, I walked out courageously as if I had just woken up to pee. When I came back I told guys what had happened and why I had run in. “I was scared” was all I said and the dorm quietened. These guys knew that I had always tried to portray a “saintly” disposition and such a thing would be unheard of in my profile scrapbook. I wasn't sinless, but I made effort to achieve Regeneration Holiness. [In fact, exactly 17 days before that night, an ancestral dragon of pretended holiness had been cast out of me by a brotherhood of born again Pentecostals led by Ray', a Senior 4 classmate in the B Stream and PL, the outsider who owned some businesses at our school.]

Homosexuality is simply an evil spirit. I heard that there were evil spirits roaming around our college; I’m not saying I was a Homo before the exorcism but who exactly was the culprit that night? The assault scandal took one week to evaporate and all along this time I was very worried what my family would think if I was falsely charged with attempted rape of a boy, of all humans, a boy and then suspended, expelled or imprisoned. Close to the end of the critical week while returning from the showers, I heard a classmate tell his buddies that he had no doubt it was me. Whether this was a joke to make them smile or not, I took it as one. You will never catch Aiko trying to rape a boy; NEVER! Another Friday Night in Senior 4, as I headed for the usual weekly Prayers for Bornagains behind the SMACK Library, a Schoolmate in a lower Class (probably S1 or 2) walked a few Metres infront of me towards the same Venue. Behind me leaving his Office Area was the Headmaster (Brother Edward Bukenya). I sensed he was following the two of us as I bypassed my Class at the End of the Block, but pretended that I had not noticed him. So when I reached behind the Library, I quickly told the Youngman to go pray on the extreme End of the Library. I waited on the nearer Corner for the Headmaster to try and ambush us. As he peeped, I watched him but was very glad I had thought ahead. He arrested us immediately and took us back to his Office accusing us of wanting to practice Homosexuality in the dark while other People watched Movies. (I knew the Entertainment Prefect in Senior 3 and the VHS Movies he usually picked were from the same Video Library in Bukoto on Kisaasi Road where I also rented Tapes. I had seen many of them during the Holidays, so I skipped most Movie Nights). Brother Bukenya commanded us to write Sorry Letters confessing the Sin we were planning to commit in the dark, but in defiance, I wrote that we were praying and if he expels us for nothing, GOD would "punish" him. When he read my Note, he let us both go.

Thank GOD none of the seniors at SMACK ever approached me to appease their lusts. Maybe I was too ugly, thank GOD for that! Do you see cocks jumping on cocks, bitchdogs sleeping with bitchdogs, or bulls mating with bulls? Homosexual marriage is unnatural; forget the instances in some lizards. Bum-drilling is taboo. There is no Problem with "philia" (Brotherly Love) or Sisterhood but taking it to the next level is just gross, you have to play by the Rules not the Game. Even if all the Women on Earth rejected me, I cannot become a Homo! Leviticus 18: 22 says, "You must not lie with a Man as with a Woman. This is a hateful Thing." Also, Leviticus 20: 13 adds, "The Man who lies with a Man in the same Way as with a Woman: they have done a hateful Thing; they must die, their Blood shall be on their own Heads." During Senior Five (Advanced Level), there was a bi-spectacled guy who liked holding my hand, but I abhorred it, so most times I withdrew my hand but courteously tolerated him as a brother from the next class. He used to call me "Guti" like the good-looking Real Madrid player in the early 2000s and visited my combination class regularly to see me plus others. When I learnt that he had been expelled from Macos for homosexuality, I believed it even though he never spoke about it to me. I just didn’t like the way he was fond of me yet we had just spoken for a few months. His gay history at Mwiri was also revealed at morning assembly. I wouldn’t have given in if he ever asked but there are people who do just because of financial constraints. I hear Homos have money and they enjoy recruiting desperate "scoobies". Being a homo doesn't make you rich. As Ugandans, we need to know how much Money we really need or want to avoid traps that will unbowel us simply because of the Love of Donor Money! Being dead broke is the Root of All-Evil, so get Good Money or die unpolluted but get rid of this Alternative Lifestyle! Some suggest it is a Family Planning Method, but it isn’t okay even secretly. Parents shouldn’t pressurize their unemployed children to get jobs and money; it might drive them into such activities. Be content with whatever GOD gives after you tithe in Church, Mosque or Synagogue! What we need is to be entrepreneurs and job-creators! I'm not claiming to be holier than homos; I have my Iniquities too, but all the major Scriptures condemn Homosexuality, which means it’s either done out of Rebellion or Ignorance.

GOD created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve nor Amanda and Eve. It is not good for a man to marry a fellow man. Moses married Zipporah, not a man. A man cannot be a wife, neither can a woman be a husband.

"Then the LORD rained on Sodom and Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; and overthrew those cities; and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities and what grew on the ground. But Lot's wife behind him looked back and she became a pillar of salt..." - GENESIS 19:24-26

"Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of GOD? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor HOMOSEXUALS, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the Kingdom of GOD..." - 1 CORINTHIANS 6:9-10

I have never been a homosexual and will never be even if it costs me everything, but I know about demons influencing sexuality. Every animal has chemicals that will make it desire to mate. I'm not an exception, but I only fancy females. In Primary 7, I was told that I had a dirty mind. Truth be told, my secret dream was to set up Uganda's First 24/7 Hardcore Pornography TV Station like in the Netherlands, whether on registered cable or forbidden underground. Porn is powerful, it can make you do evil things by making them appear glorious like fornicating, adultery, oral sex, gay sex, anal sex, bondage sex, cunnilingus and masturbation - one of the ways homosexuals please their partners. But even if you masturbate yourself or your wife does, it is still evil. In Matthew 5:28, Jesus says, "...everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." The 7th Commandment given to Moses at Mount Sinai also says: DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY. So how can masturbating be right? I first jerked off in January 1997, two months before joining the only all-boys school I have ever enrolled into, and a certain bewitchingly clean Black girl was on my mind. Straight Talk Newspaper even wrote that it is not evil. However, I prayed to GOD that if I did it 100 times, HE must kill me. I even once heard strange laughter from the top of a tree while doing it at night, maybe it was a demon. In P7, we only had male teachers, but in Senior 1, I got to see female teachers again. In the first English lesson, I do not remember why the teacher called us to the front, but I went and touched her butt while she was standing behind the table. She then gave us a paper for writing our names and while I was writing mine, she came and stood behind me to read what I was writing. I bet mine was one of the first names she could remember. I later found out that her husband is actually my namesake. I was always eager to answer her questions even if some classmates weren't interested in her lessons, I did not care afterall she was a woman. It's not that I wanted to sleep with her but I had an affinity towards certain women. I was in the chapel choir (which I quit without regret after third term) but I just did not understand why my hormones couldn't shut up: I drew naked women. I felt uneasy in my spirit, and even my eldest sister once said that I must be possessed because of the disrespect in my tongue, but never believed demons could reach me until one night in 1997 when I was alone in class after midnight. I sat in the third column out of four in our class, somewhere in the middle rows and suddenly, the desks in the second row began jumping from front to back. It's like a giant serpent passed under them. Immediately, I fearfully packed up my books, padlocked my desk locker, switched off the light and ran to the quadrangle. In the last week of second term, I got a constant pounding headache that would only ease up when I closed my eyes. I got tinted spectacles during the holidays until I lost them in 2002, defects were blamed on watching too much TV and bright lights, but I felt it was all demonic. GOD probably allowed them to punish me for my lust and other sins. I even had a number of X-rays for complaining about constant chest pressure and pain but all results showed that my heart and ribcage were shaped okay. On Tuesday 2nd December 1997, I asked Jesus Christ to come into my heart and get rid of any demons before they drag me to hell. Another time, I ran from a darkened chicken house feeling an evil presence coming towards me, hit an avocado tree with my head and fell down backwards but got up immediately and bolted again.

I did not see wet dreams until 2001 (at age 17). Naturally, sperms accumulate in males and after sometime, they find a way out to leave room for new sperms. I read somewhere that Missionary sex in marriage (male and female partners facing each other) is the Holiest Way to expel sperms. Doggystyle is even reserved for Prostitution because it's animalistic. Nevertheless, wet dreams also expel sperms but are brought by fallen spirits or witches involved in astral sex. Do you remember the 200 angels that lusted for women on earth in Genesis, Book of Enoch and Jubiless? 20 of them were allowed to roam after the flood while the rest were locked away. There are also female marine spirits or mermaids. As a kid, we used to be warned of a red merman at a school near home, Lake Victoria was just hundreds of metres behind it. Some beautiful women in public places might be that kind. Engels actually walk on earth (Hebrews 13:2 and during Lot's time). When you open the door through pornography for a succubus (or incubus for women) demon angel to come into your life, it will seduce you because of its vast knowledge and experience. If you do not masturbate, fornicate or commit any other sexual sin, it will rape you when you sleep until you exorcise it [Check out http://www.yourghoststories.com/]. This is not fiction, many people hate masturbation (or fornication) but find themselves doing it because it is forced sex caused by a stubborn sex-obsessed demon which you cannot see but can feel [Check out Music Videos: "Omuzimu Gwa Nankya" by MERCY CROW (Ugandan) or "Karishika" by FALZ ft. PHYNO & CHIGUL (Nigerian)]. Some pastors, stand-up comedians plus health publications encourage masturbation but it is totally wrong. Hungarian Eudoxia Varga testified that she saw a vision of hell in which an unbelievably beautiful demon cast spells and convinced humans on earth to practice masturbation. Pornography makes masturbation irresistable because it turns you on. It is important for males to get circumcised early so that the temptation to masturbate wanes especially when they are washing the inside foreskin on their uncircumcised penis, my undoing in 1997. Masturbation is wicked, it is like onanism (coitus interruptus). Onan was the grandson of Jacob talked about in Genesis 38:9. The LORD showed a Zambian Lady called Inonge Mushala a section of hell for those who masturbate. It was dreary and desolate. She saw a woman chained with large shackles on a chair on which she was sitting burnt beyond recognition. Her gray and charred body looked like ash. She was in agony and was there because of masturbating during her earthlife. 1 Corinthians 7:9 says, "Get married instead of burning with passion (or lust)!"

It's funny that gays also have fashion/ beauty pageants too where they dress like women for a prize but real females need to cover their bodies properly, it helps the males. Muslim attire sets an example, but there are many other decent fashions like North Pole or Russian dressing plus the Nigerian wear with headscarf, to mention a few. As a male, I understand the chemical reaction that exposed breasts and enticing thighs can ignite in a man unless he resists the pleasant attraction. Some women copy the wrong fashions, even trousers were meant for only men in Moses's time. Proverbs 5:19 says that a Man should let his wife's breasts satisfy him at all times, but not every woman is your wife. Therefore, women need to avoid exposing cleavage both infront and behind to every Tom, Dick and Harry! Do you see men walking around with their balls showing teasingly? Men also need to avoid "balancing" (sagging trousers or pants). Those are things that pimps and prostitutes (hoes, harlots, sluts) do, selling their sacred private parts just to get money for buying expensive hair extensions, weaves, wigs, perfumes and acidic cosmetics. Adam and Eve were created naked, but when they fell, GOD made for them clothes because he knew what could happen. Even native cultures that used to dress half naked had limits, but covering is very helpful. Unbelievably, some African women still dig in the garden barechested. The first campus girl I fell in love with caught my attention because of her scent and peaceful way she carried herself, but she had nice brown boobs too. I wanted to marry her and she wanted to finish her university studies. I never planned to ruin her studies and believed we could stack up the grades together (At least, having studied English seriously, I felt I wasn't too daft in academics), but we only related for 14 to 15 months before we grew apart when I took one of her many paper photos without permission. I had tried too hard to make her mine but growing apart made me ponder the difference between love and lust. Someone once told me a circulating rumour that girls would show me their thighs and I would do for them their courseworks yet it's just that I was not selfish with the little I knew. The rumours were not factual. For two consecutive nights though, I once had a totally decent Marketing discussion by invitation with six female classmates. Those two nights, when I got back to my hostel, I slept like a baby, no dreams, no nightmares, nothing, just smooth peaceful sleeping till dawn, but woke up with nocturnal emissions. How they happened, I cannot explain but appreciated the power of the mind even if you program it to do the right thing. Women are not sex objects, its an image planted in our minds by our fallen bodies. One wife should be enough for any man. While going to school in Jinja, I used to buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles chewing gum from a store on Main Street owned by the parents of a demon-possessed (so they said) Muslim friend of mine. His mother was so beautiful that I asked myself why a Muslim hajj needs a second wife when he already has one like my friend's mum. Problems can arise naturally in the real world, but if it is lust, you need self control that only the Holy Spirit brings. I feel sorry for convicted rapists and arrested sex offenders or defilers like the one I met in jail around February 2005. He told me and another jailbird that the 14 year old girl who accused him of defilement actually asked for sex, then denied asking for it. True story, young girls can be quite touchy but you have to resist the temptations or end up in jail. If only brideswealth, dowry or marriage fees were cheap, then so many sexual sins in the world might be minimised. Men also need to renew their minds. Humans can still breathe without frequent sex, they are not ferrets.

Sex frequency is overrated; It should be reserved mainly for procreation and bonding between married individuals, not just recreation. Why should something so wrong make us feel so right? Prostitutes, gigolos and call girls will run out of business and save themselves by doing alternative trades. Fornicators, adulterers, rapists and defilers should also control themselves, Holy Spirit can help! We need to keep asking, seeking and knocking. Male homosexuals can marry and enjoy female partners instead, there is German juice and Ugandan juice in the east, west, north and south. Why lust after a fellow man? Why does money and lust mess us up like this, or is it just invisible devils? Anal sex and masturbation are evil and demonic. There are so many alternative things to think about on earth instead of gay marriage or gay rights (like America since 2015 and some European countries). Only GOD can judge LGBTIQs, but HIS Law says homosexuality aint holy nor wise. Like Michael Jackson (who was being accused of sodomising young boys) sang in "Stranger in Moscow", LORD have Mercy! We are talking 'Danger!'...

Animation in Uganda

One of the Most Complicated and Painstaking Visual Arts is 3D Animation, a Twin Sister to CGI used in Movies. Before the Turn of the Millenium (2000), many Ugandans, such as US based Solomon Jagwe (Soreel Graphix); UK taught Yunus Sebyala (X-Toons Animations); Richard Musinguzi (nicknamed the "Walt Disney of Uganda"); Isaac Oboth (C.E.O. of Media256 and Winner of the Young Achievers Award in the Film and Technology Category 2011); Swansea Metropolitan (now University of Wales Trinity Saint David) graduate David Masanso (Crossroads Digital Media); Andrew Cara, my Old Boy from Upper Primary (1995 to 6, who uses the avatar AndrooPCP on YouTube - I admire the Levels of Skeletal Rigging he has reached); the versatile and incredibly undisputed Maurice Kaweekwa (nicknamed Wekwes, signs his Oil Paintings as MKaweekwa); the alchemic Agwau Otim (Oparaah); New Vision Cartoonist Kato Richard; self taught Phizy Pwoch (I learnt from him that "Better Work is the ultimate Strategy"); Sidney Sengooba (of Brand Media Uganda) and females like Sarah Alego, Catherine (Kathryn) Mirembe plus others (even though not listed) had started experimenting with 3D Animation and Motion Graphics. A Journey of a thousand Miles always starts with one Step. Even the Longest River starts from a Source. Like South African Freedom Fighter Nelson Mandela once said, "It seems impossible until it's done..."

Animator David Masanso during the first annual Crossroads Animation Days on Thursday 13th (to Saturday 15th) December 2012 at Uganda Museum (Kampala)

A new Dawn and Era has come for 3D-CG in UG; I call it Uganimation. Check out the animated Squirrels drumming to a Nandujja Song courtesy of Crossroads Digital Multimedia Ltd! Another good Animation is the Uganda at 50 Years Montage plus the realistically rendered Imitate Video featuring a Hat-seller waking up to ride his Bicycle to the Market. On the Way, he battles with Monkeys. This Video won the inaugural 2013 UCC (Uganda Communications Commission) Film Festival Award for Best Animation. David recommends that encouraging young Ugandans to take up the Art Form early can sustain the Industry. Following this Success, his Company (Crossroads) is working with a UK Organisation to build a 3D Computer Animation Incubation Centre and Studio. This will empower Ugandans with Skills to compete for outsourced Work and animate African Stories. Also, in a Programme that supports Entrepreneurship in developing Countries, David was chosen to work with the Chief of Entrepreneurship at the United Nations.

Ugandan Broadcasters, most notably the veteran UTV (now UBC), ballistic BTN (in Arua), hot NTV, very modern Urban TV and Pastor Robert Kayanja's sumptuous Channel 44, etc wonderfully expose Youngsters to Animation by running Cartoon Programmes, despite mainly foreign ones. Nevertheless, the End justifies the Means! By 2011, the Animation Industry in the Pearl of Africa was regarded as "young but growing fast" and it will never die despite the Challenges. I remember in the 1990s, there was a Privatisation Campaign brilliantly animated for TV. I wonder where it was done! One of the major Challenges in UG though is Production Capital, not only monetary but also technological Skills. If upcoming Animators and enthusiastic 3D Artists keep trying new Tricks, more improved Work can be produced. Learn from the Best! Tra-Digital Animation is also recommended by Experts. It blends both the old and new, traditional hand-drawn and digital like in The Princess and the Frog (Disney Animation). TDA takes the Best of Both Worlds and explores new Possibilities in Storytelling. We should never think that the Medium alone, in this case 3D Animation produced using 3ds max, Maya, Mental Ray, Blender, Vue 7, Poser, ZBrush or LightWave (used to make 300, Iron Man and Finding Nemo) tells the Story. TDA is also a great Supplement, and so is Google SketchUp Pro used to design Google Earth Maps.

In 2010, Makerere University Kampala and Digimation UK entered a Partnership to conduct Digital Animation Courses in the well facilitated Faculty of Computing and I.T. Meanwhile, Artfield Institute was also founded (in Naguru near Kembabazi Catering) to offer Courses in 3D Animation and Graphic Design.

Some notable Animations featuring UG Themes include the robotic Sadolin Paint Tinman walking on a Street and into a colourfully interior-decorated Home; the MTN "Yori Yori" Caller Tunez TV Commercial (by Phantom in Nsambya), is it really from RSA?; the Superman-like Warid Pesaman (now Airtel's Mr. Money after the Merger - "You smell..."); Daily Monitor (Independent Journalism) at 20 Years (1992-2012 and beyond); “A violence-free Childhood is everyone’s Right!’’ goes a TV ad starring Froggie, the amusing cartoon Mascot used by Raising Voices, a local Women and Children’s Rights NGO in its Multimedia Campaigns that also feature real life Ugandan Celebs like Sarah Short. Froggie reminds me of some hilarious Frog from way back during RS Elvis’ Variety Show (Ekitobeero A la Carte) where after signing out with his trademark “Cut!” Phrase, the Frog objects, “Wama, don’t cut!” and goes on to say or do something to crack your Rib; Meditex (Kabode) Soap; WBS Television's Superbrands 2013/ 14 Celebratory Dance by a tall beautiful female Character dressed in a yellow Blouse (if outside is shiverishly cold, then stay indoors to watch this hot Animation topped up with a Nigerian Music Score or the Nkoza & Nankya TV Series; Animated Snippets mixed with realtime Video Footage of Youth in "Lwaki (Why?)" by EYEZEE OMUWANDUZI ft. SANDSOUL; the Animated Music Video (AMV) for "You Want Another Rap" by the Most Excellent Rapper SEVO (Uganda's President) produced by Yunus and his Crew that included (NTV) Mini Buzz Cartoonist Jimelux Tashobya; the Twenty23 Parish Development Model (PDM) Sensitization commercial; a Music Video combining human footage with animations entitled "Uganda Yange" by Sweden-based GEROCK; Galiwango: Obulamu Bwe'Kisodde/ The Life of a Gorilla (Luganda Animated Film) by Solomon Jagwe and many more Creations. In a black and white World, true Colours show: I bet the AMV for "Power" by GNL ZAMBA is one of the Most Amazing around here, a Kino Musoke Picture presented by Dragonfly Media Studio 80z. Other notable Animation Studios in UG include Fruity Media, Image Now, DFH Uganda (Multimedia), Bumba Studio, etc.

To become an Animator, you need Knowledge about Skeletons, i.e. Bones, Joints and their Positions; it is actually Skin-deep. That is when you realise that the compulsory Science (Primary 4) and Biology Lessons are very important. I remember during O’Level, there was a real Human Skeleton wired to stand upright near the Entrance to the Biology Lab. Whenever we walked in, we would crack Jokes with the Skeleton Man. Now I know he was truly a V-VIP in the Lab! Lazarus, come forth! A Character Rig is the Digital Skeleton created by Animators inside a 3D Mesh. Like a real Skeleton, a Rig is made up of simple or complex Joints and Bones, each of which act as a "Handle" that Animators use to bend the Character into desired Poses like Prophet Ezekiel (Zul-Kifl) in the Valley of dry Bones (Ezekiel 37). Joints are assembled exactly where they would be in a Real World Skeleton, with one or two Exceptions. In the final Clip, the Pseudo-skeletons disappear. Allow me to drift away, the Quran records incredible Stories of talking Animals, for example: Ants have marvellous Communication Skills at Ground Level (Quran 27:18-19 [The Ants]) plus King Solomon knew the Speech of Birds (Quran 27:16-17), a Hoopoe spoke to him (Quran 27:20-28) just like a Donkey spoke to Balaam in the Bible (Numbers 22:28). A Serpent spoke to Eve while a Burning Bush ordered Moses to take off his Sandals because he was standing on holy Ground. How did all the different Animals enter Noah's Ark (Safina Nuh) in Pairs? Maybe GOD talked to them. Jesus told the Pharisees in Luke 19:40 that even if they made His Disciples keep quiet, the Stones will cry out rejoicing and praising GOD with a loud Voice. According to the Book of Jubilees (Lesser Genesis), Hebrew is the Language of Heaven and was originally spoken by all Creatures in the Garden of Eden. However, the Animals lost their Power of Speech when Adam and Eve were expelled. So Animation is also based on Reality, not just Fantasy. Besides, Parrots can speak sensibly to Humans. About Superpowers or Superhuman Abilities, well: Enoch went to Heaven alive - GOD took him; Moses parted the Red Sea; Joshua marched with the Israelites carrying the Ark of the LORD while seven Priests blew seven Ram-horn Trumpets for seven Days (once for each of the first six Days but seven Times on the seventh Day) until the Walls of Jericho fell though Rahab - the harlot and her Household were saved; Elijah ran faster than a Horse; Samson tore a Lion's Mouth; Solomon enslaved Demons; Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego couldn't be burnt in a fiery Furnace; Mary gave birth without a Man; JESUS walked on Water and did many other amazing Things; Fingers of a human Hand wrote on the Wall of a Palace; etc.

Uganda harbours many Fine Artists and Comics Cartoonists like the incredibly gifted Loukman Ali, my OB Christian Mafigiri, Derrick Dre (PassionateArt UG), Colourist Brian Amanya, Daily Monitor (Newspaper) Cartoonists Mozeh and Chris Ogon Atukwasize, etc who can metamorphose into Animators if they choose. If you want more Fun, then just mark your Calender for IAD (International Animation Day on 28th October, about three Weeks before World Television Day on 21st November) every Year plus check out - http://www.ugandacartoonnetwork.com/

Personally, as the Walt Disney Company's Paperman (Best Animated Short Film at the 2013 Oscars) wonderfully portrays using the (Final Line Advection) Meander Program developed by Brian Whited, I think one Tool that will enhance Drawn Animation is hybrid Software that takes 3D Technology and brings it to the 2D Arena allowing Artists to animate in 3D Space any handdrawn pictures (whether scanned or sketched on Wacom Tablets and Electronic Paper), something like 2.5D. Sometimes, I imagine uganda telecom's delicious Mango mascot, branded in the early 2000s by my Favourite Newspaper Cartoonist Danny Barongo making a Comeback as a Blue Mango! It's all about you!

*Courtesy of Aiko (Ugatoons)

Welcome to Cartoonland 256, at the Heart of Africa!

"Ghost" by MAURICE KIRYA ft. RUYONGA Lyrics
Off his third studio Album (entitled Mwooyo), Maurice Kirya croons about a girl that came into his life and changed his Perception about how he has always chosen to love a Woman. He even starts thinking whatever is happening is not real, it's just an Illusion too good to be true; she is like an Invisible Girlfriend. The Animated Video of this Song creatively rigged by Yunus Sebyala's X-Toons Animations wonderfully illustrates this ageless Conflict. Mwooyo Kirya is truly soulful as usual.

[INTRO]
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Buno obuzimu bwa munno)
Ooh, ooh, ooh, er!

[VERSE ONE - MAURICE KIRYA]
How did you end up in my life?
How did you cast that spell?
Tell me who sent you, oom? Is it Heaven or is it Hell?
[HOOK]
I built a wall so high, a wall that you defied.
But this can't be, ooh!
I never fall this deep. No! No!

[CHORUS]
You're not real, you're a ghost!
This can't be, (Buno obuzimu bwa munno).
You're not real, you're a ghost!
It's an illusion, (Buno obuzimu bwa munno)!

[VERSE TWO]
Listen! How did you end up in my life?
How did you end up in my bed?
How did you get me so in love? No!
Coz without you I feel dead, whoa!
[HOOK]
I built a wall so high, a wall that you defied.
But this can't be, ooh!
I never fall this deep. No, and no, no!

[CHORUS]
You're not real, you're a ghost!
This can't be, (Buno obuzimu bwa munno).
You're not real, you're a ghost!
It's an illusion, (Buno obuzimu bwa munno)!

[RAP - RUYONGA]
(W???? Hiddn Empire! Yeah!)
Ru, it's like: I only see you when my eyes go, closed.
Got me wondering how you got so, close.
Till am on fire for your holy smokes.
To quit you, ama need the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, whoa!
Higher obsessed with me, you're so excessive!
Trying to own me, you're so possessive! But so depressing, ontulire!
Coz you know what you did, here wewandogere!
Creeping in through the mist, crawling through the dark.
Reaching out for my heart, persisting in your call like that whisper
in the wall.
Sliding inside of my bed, with every lie that you said.
I need you out of my head, coz...

[OUTRO]
You're not real, you're a ghost!
This can't be!
You're not reeeeal, (Buno obuzimu bwa munno)!
You're not real! (Buno obuzimu bwa munno),
(Get away from me [2X]), (Buno obuzimu bwa munno),
(Get away from me)!
END

"Power" by GNL ZAMBA Lyrics 
UG’s hip-hop messiah GNL bakes another poetic cake in 2012 and ices it with a fantastic animated music video presented by Dragonfly Media Studio 80z. It's also a Kino Musoke Picture. Shout outs to shinetz.blogspot.com! I couldn’t transcribe the muffled voice of the lady in the chorus that reminds me of the incredible three Singing Chipmunks but here is the rest of the flow (in black and white) from the Lord of Uga-Flow, not just Luga...

[CHORUS:]

[INTRO (GNL Speaking): ]
Power, you want to talk to me about power, right? 
It’s like am in a castle right now. 
And am overlooking Kampala’s bright lights, 
Everybody’s lined up. 
And my car is pulling through the streets, 
Everybody’s saying, “Koombaye!” 

[VERSE ONE:] 
I’m the Lord of the Ring. 
I’m not a slave, I’m a king. 
I float and I sting. 
It’s my rhymes to make your heart sing. 
Feel the pain or the sling or the joy that I bring. 
I was raised in the ghetto but now I shine and I bling. 
When you put your heart to the ceiling, it’s a G you are feeling. 
Hip-hop Uganda now looks up to me for healing. 
In the studio or the stage, I’m looking for the Shilling. 
Every dog has its day, it’s my time for the killing. 
Many try hard, but they can’t stop the G from winning. 
I’m the Best and, as long as the Art keeps spinning. 
I’m evolving and building, it’s not the end (Baboon Forest), it’s the beginning. 
I’m making love to the game, you can call it my Second Cum-ing! 
As a Newton of the game, I’m a magician with the flame. 
When you hate, it’s a shame. 
You’ve been late since I came. 
I’m a god, you’re a pilgrim. Pay your Homage! 
Let me live my dream, just let me get my cream!

[CHORUS:]

[VERSE TWO:]
(Zye, real talk, ah yeh!) 
I remember growing up, sweet dreams were a myth. 
So you know to unman, a nigga had to sweat like Keith. 
Through the cold, I was gritting my teeth with my sis, 
With no accommodation, broke, lying in the abyss (I remember that time). 
I’m the type of nigga radio used to diss, but now am in bliss because am a crown prince. 
Peace to my nigga Emron for the Genesis. 
Coz’ now we pack Greatness like Guinnesses. 
Baboon Forest, we the bubble geniuses, 
Show you how to turn dem poems into businesses. 
I’m not an artiste, am a legend. 
You’re a curtain-raiser, am the main event. 
Don’t you know, am Socrates when I think, am Gandhi when I speak, Chinua Achebe when I rhyme. 
Am a GOD-guided missile, it’s the heat that I seek. 
The Luga-flow Jet Li, it’s like a kung-fu flick, the way I kick.

[CHORUS:]

[VERSE THREE:]
(Zye X4) I did it my way [Aliri mawe], 
So I think I need some Berry-on and Rozelle (eh). 
Tonight, all my troubles seem so far away (yes). 
I’ve seen more drama than Broadway (I did, man). 
In the club, I need a needle in my record play (yes). 
Damn, can you let a nigga sway (What’s up Mckenzie?)! 
I refuse to lose like Mugabe in Zimbabwe (yes). 
Leka nkole ebyange, bakole ebyabwe (hahaha)! 

[OUTRO: ]
Rude bwai music! 
Dedicated to my first love: Hip-hop. 
Zye! And the fans, man. Yo fans, man. The fans. 
I did it my way [Aliri mawe], I think I need some Berry-on and Rozelle, eh... 

The Prophecy (series) is a Ugandan Sci Fi (Science fiction) fantasy web series produced by Acheonex based on the lives of the last living citizens of Uganda after an apocalypse was brought about by an ancient medallion. A genetic mutation occured among the last remaining human beings allowing them to exhibit superhuman strength and abilities. A great evil was awoken during the Apocalypse by the power of the medallion and it is up to the remaining Ugandans to fight for the human race. However, struggles among the survivors make it a battle for power and conquest... [Synopsis courtesy of Phizy Pwoch (Animator)]

AikoGraphics

Ugandan Cartoonists
As a Cartoonist myself using the Penname "Aiko" at Uganda Christian University's Community Newspaper The Standard (since 2007 to 2015 and again from 2019) and also the Labels AruaCartoons (since 2014) plus LugbaraToons (since 2019), I took a Timeout to compile a List of almost 100 Cartoonists whose Artwork I have noticed in Ugandan Media especially Newspapers but also Magazines, Web and TV in no particular Order nor Ranking. If there is anyone I have left out who merges Lines and Colours plus Words (or Sounds) to create a whole new World, then please remind me or add to your own List:

B. Danny Toons

NUMBER 1: B. Danny, aka Dan Barongo or simply DB or BD, is definitely my Favourite Ugandan Cartoonist of All-Time. I adore his Colouring and Realism. The War Comics he did for The New Vision in the 90s inspired me a lot: I was amazed that someone within my Country could actually draw Ugandan Events to such Detail and aesthetic Form. He was like a Mentor to me (I actually asked him for Advice in Industrial Area) and he later moved to Daily Monitor. I grew up thinking that good Cartoons and Illustrations only come from outside Countries, but seeing his solid illustrative Artwork in the Papers gave me a lot of Hope...

Mr. Ras, also known as Ras Manyanga (born Charles Onen from Kitgum) is a Veteran in the Business, considered by many as the Best Editorial Cartoonist in Uganda, roger that! His Cartoons usually had male Animals with erect Private Parts. Nevertheless, he is funny and has produced a very huge Body of Work, Ras Studios. He usually dresses smartly, reminds me of the Congolese who pull their Trousers very high above the Waistline. I replaced him for only one Month between 26th December 2010 and 16th January 2011 at Sunday Vision where I had started by writing Letters to the Editor during my Campus Internship Years (thanks to Advice from Samuel Apedel); it was a Dream come true after submitting my Portfolio to Ras in 2005. He advised me to use Ivory Paper and Combo Pens for Longevity instead of Foolscaps and Ballpoint Pens plus make my Cartoon Faces less detailed. Photo Editor Jimmy Adriko was also an Encouragement when I had a Tryout at New Vision coz I could yap Lugbara with him...

Tumusiime Rushedge, other Name Emmanuel - born in Buhweju County of Bushenyi District (on 1st March 1941, died 2008), was a Ugandan Surgeon, Pilot, Novelist, Cartoonist and Newspaper Columnist aka Tom Rush and Old Fox (of the famous Escapades). Some Campus Fellows nicknamed me "Kid Fox", maybe coz I drew Cartoons in my Notebooks. Everybody knows Old Fox's Creation (alongside Ateker Ejalu) named Ekanya which means "Cheeky One" in Ateso, first published in the early 70s and still running, his Wife Rosie plus Son Junior; this Cartoon Family fascinated me in the 90s, I hoped they were from Teso coz I love Bateso. He also created the Comic Strip Bogi Benda while in Kenya...

Tess Rushedge, a humorous Daughter who took over her Father's Ekanya Comic Strip at New Vision. She detests Politics in her Cartoons and prefers mainly Family Issues and Relationships in Homes...

James Rwehabura Tumusiime, Proprietor of Igongo Cultural Centre, Founder of Fountain Publishers in 1988, arguably the Largest Indigenous Book Publishing Company in UG - famous for School Textbooks and Children's Stories, took over the Ekanya Character after 1976 when Rushedge went into Exile in Kenya...

Tom, works for the Teso Newspaper Etop in Soroti and its Parent Publication New Vision in KLA too...

Dr. Stone, I thought he was a Whiteman like the Ugandanised British Writer named Kevin O'Connor, but he's Black like me and raps Luganda fluently, draws his exclusive Sports Toons quite fast. Sometimes, other Cartoonists like Mr. Ras fill his Spot...

Kato FM, his illustrative Cartooning seems like it is all done in Pencil (basically he draws Shades of Grey) but dark enough to be read clearly, he shades very realistic Faces...

JR, funny, Luni, Jokes hahehihohu; I do not know who exactly he is but he has some rib-cracking Lines, almost like Proverbs...

Snoggie FM, aka Senoga or Snoggie's World who moved to the US, been around for quite some Time, colourful. He used to draw the "Leo Kivumbi" Strip too...

Luganda Toons

Joey?, I think he does the Bukedde Newspaper Cartoons, interesting Stuff in Luganda...

Mozeh, Real Name Moses Balagade (died in 2016); my Mass Communication Dean of Faculty at UCU - Mr. Ben Bella Ilakut once advised me to draw thick Lines like him...

Ogon, aka Christoons replaced Mozeh at Daily Monitor as the Main Man and my or my, his Cartoons look crispy on Facebook, maybe because of the brighter Digital Surroundings unlike the somewhat light-khaki Hardcopy Newspaper, but still very well crafted Work. Atukwasize Chris Ogon won the Award for "Cartoonist of the Year" at the 2015 Uganda National Journalism Awards organised by the African Centre for Media Excellence (ACME). One interesting Thing I noticed in his Toons is the one Line Teeth Gap, simple but funny, seen! He also works for Ennyanda, another Subsidiary of Monitor Publications LTD. Ogon graduated in 2012 with an Illustration Major Bachelor's Degree in Industrial and Fine Arts from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts. He worked as an Illustrator at MK Publishers, Longman Publishers and Mango Tree Uganda. At The Kampala Sun, he was the Editorial Cartoonist pennamed Atuk...

Ivan also does some colourful Work for Daily Monitor... 

Spire Cartoons, by Dr. Jimmy Spire Sentongo, a very active Cartoonist who started at Weekly Observer in 2006, teaches Philosophy at Uganda Martyrs University and Makerere University. He studied Art until S4 Term 2 but felt he should use his Art Skills for Advocacy...

Jimelux TV Toons

Jimelux Tashobya, a UCU Mukono Fine Art Alumnus and NTV Minibuzz Cartoonist whose Drawing Process is filmed and then broadcast in Fast Motion. After failing to scoop the Minibuzz Position recommended to me by a Maisha Sound Alumnus Shantos Ssekito, I asked Jimelux to also replace me at The Standard. He used to draw Cartoons for other Publications on the Campus, so I felt he might have the Momentum to take over, but he also had Dreams of making Comics...

Stuart M., one of the Cartoonists who replaced me at the Standard between 2015 after I was let off and 2018 before I returned. He uses lots of Words but that is what I appreciate because many interesting Ideas can be compressed in one Panel. My Managers at New Vision used to tell me to let the Drawings deliver the Message with less (Letter) Words but Wordiness also adds creative Colour to a Cartoon and Stuart excels at that. Personally, I limit the Words by summarising but at the Back of my Mind, I fancy 100 Words in a Cartoon. Meanwhile, the Drawings can speak 1,000 Phonemes, no Problem... 

PK's Toonbook Sketches

PK Toons

Patricia Kelly Kobusingye, aka Pat Kelly (PK), known her since 2001 (Senior 5); I actually drew Illustrations for a Cash-winning Book she wrote in a National Book Trust Of Uganda (NABOTU) Competition. She's a whimsical Lady who reminds me of some Omo TV Commercial in the early 2010s; never made me angry, not even once. She was the Deputy Headgirl and we became Friends unconventionally when she confronted me in our HEL (History, Economics, Literature) Class one Morning because of my dirty, unwashed Shirt evidenced by my brown inner Sleeve End; I was surely at fault and she had the Power to send me back to wash my white Shirt or wear another one. Imagine a Prefect or Policewoman stopping you and instead of punishing you, she forgives and becomes your Good Friend, heehee! I adore her smooth Line Drawings made using a special Pen. I guess that is why her Cartoons look classier and different from mine which are drawn using common Ballpoint Pens. She is simply Art, Design and Prose. I wish TIME Magazine could profile her... 

Harriet Jamwa, is an Illustrator and Graphics Designer who works at Andrew Mwenda's Independent Newspaper printed in Magazine Format. I almost had a Tryout with M9's Newspaper and might have worked with Harriet along the Way if I stayed but did not pass the Vetting, was told to learn more from Illustrators like B. Danny...

Phillip Nsamba, illustrates The Adventures of Babi & Bobi...

Benjamin Buhamizo, illustrates some Stories featured in Toto Magazine, quite impressive Line Drawing and Colouring. Meanwhile Benji, does "Naughty Benji" Cartoons while a Cartoonist pennamed Benjie draws The Senile, a witty Comic Strip which old People would enjoy. Not sure if it's the same Person...

Hyena, some of my Friends in Bukoto (a KLA Suburb) used to call me Hyena coz they heard that I was a Cartoonist, but am not the one who draws those Red Pepper Cartoons. In fact, why would I sleep with so many Women like that in real Life? One Wife is quite enough; Multiple Partners at the same Time, Fornication plus Adultery are very complicated with STDs, Abortion or Bastards and Hellfire waiting on the other Side of the Mountain. I hope it is just Fiction, Fantasy or Wet Dreams...

Loukman Ali, very talented 3D Animator and Filmmaker with amazing Face-drawing Skills. First met him on Bob Marley's 2009 Birthday while we were both being debriefed by Mr. Ras; it was a very special Moment coz I was running away from a Job Disappointment somewhere else. Ali has produced TV Commercials plus Films such as "The Bad Mexican"...

Andrew Cara, a down-to-Earth CG Artist on the Hill; he also teaches. He was one Year behind me at Kalinabiri Primary School when I was in P7, but he could still remember my Drawing Skills more than a dozen Years later. I need to keep improving and he surely inspires with his Animation Projects...

Phizy Pwoch, another talented Animator who has worked on Music Videos too... 

David Masanso, Founder of Crossroads Animations in 2012 is an Animation Icon in UG with unflinching Zeal, actually started an annual Cartoon Festival and teaches interested Learners at his Central Business District Studios near Watoto Church (former KPC) just like Artfield Institute in Naguru. He was the First Black to study Computer Animation at the University of Swansea. "Imitate", his 4-Minute Animation about a Hat Seller, won an unprecedented Award at the 2009 Amakula Kampala International Film Festival... 

Yunus Sebyala like I mentioned earlier, does Cartoon Animations...

Animation Progress on "The Adventures of Nkoza and Nankya (TV Series)" by Solomon Jagwe

Solomon Jagwe, based in the USA, is an Animator known for Galiwango the Gorilla plus "Nkoza and Nankya" TV Series...

Richard Musinguzi is considered Uganda's Walt Disney, at least according to BBC. He created Katoto, a Rukiga-speaking Ugandan Original alongside Humphrey Agaba, Janet and the beautiful Thandi Abasa on his Team. They want Katoto to speak other Ugandan Languages also, hopefully Lugbarati too. Before Crane Bank closed, it had a TV Commercial where Katoto asked his Cow to give him 100 UgX so that he could keep it in a Savings Account, still vivid in my Memory...

John Paul Gremlin Musoke at Cartoon Leaf Channel also has some fine Portraiture Talent...

Kwiz Era, Illustrator and Expressionist Artist. His Studio is set up within Iguana Bar, Kisementi on Sturrock Road, behind Gapco Petrol Station...

Samuel Mukasa Kabali, founder of Tonda Animation is also an Inspiration...

Eugenius, this List would have been incomplete without me mentioning some Arua Artists I have come across. Eugene was among the first Artists to catch my Attention in A-Town while he painted a Mural for Mvara Core PTC next to Mvara Mission on Emmanuel Cathedral Road. He studied Art at UCU Mukono and has great Talent, truly a King Genius...

Ringo Andrua (Fly Graphix, Arua), first noticed his Portfolio via facebook but still impressive...

Pius Hoo, another Arua Artist with nice Mural Art... 

Isaac Mugabi (Skyman) is a 3D character animator, mobile app developer, programmer, digital artist plus gamer who co-founded Pomp Motion Studios in Kampala. He graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor's Degree in Art & Design plus earned a Certificate in Character Animation from Digital Tutors...

Arua Cartoons (since 2014)

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Romero, Spanish Cartoonist who drew Modesty Blaise Comics, inspired the Word-Balloon Fonts I use in my Cartoons, just added a few Changes. I used to teach myself how to draw Humans seemlessly by studying his exquisite Artwork during my Senior 6 Vacation...

Falk, DePaul and Ryan (sometimes DePaul + Manley), create Phantom Cartoons from Australia relayed to Uganda through King Features Syndicate. I have been reading about this masked, generational Hero since the 90s...

Mort Walker, creator of Beetle Bailey...

Sara, a UNICEF Cartoon conceived in ten different Countries. It took 20 months of research and development work involving 150 artists, writers and researchers from Eritrea and Ethiopia in the north to South Africa in the south (ie Malawi, Zimbabwe and the three main East African Countries). Sara used to appear in Straight Talk and Young Talk Newspapers. I loved the clean Line Drawing and Colouring. There was also a TV Animated Series with her Pet Monkey Zingo. The Sara Character is Proof that Cartoons can be used for Community Transformation...

Gayo Toons

James Gayo, his wordless Kingo Comic Strip is very hilarious; a Friend of mine wanted to turn it into a TV Animation...

Gado, famous Kenyan Newspaper Editorial Cartoonist across East Africa. Godfrey Mwapembwa spent 23 Years at The East African Newspaper before being fired for contestable Reasons including caricaturing the then Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete half nude in a languid Pose. JK was nibbling on Grapes from the Hand of one of seven Beauties who represented the 7 Sins that the Tanzanian Government had been accused of...

Frank Odoi, born in western Ghana in 1948 among seven Sisters, draws The Joker. In the late 1970s, he moved to Kenya to contribute to Terry Hirst's illustrated Humour Magazine Joe. He later inherited Terry's Position at Daily Nation Newspaper. He also helped develop and launch the XYZ Show, a satirical Puppet Show on TV. He died in a Matatu Ditch Accident on 21st April 2012...

Spiderman syndicated Cartoons from America...

Walt Disney, I think he should take Credit for the Mickey Mouse and Goofy syndicated Toons coz well, he invented them and they never died after his own Death in 1966, lived on into the new Millenium...

Zapiro Toons

Zapiro, weird how I do not know any South African Cartoonists, it's almost like Apartheid of the Brain, maybe because they colonised our Minds in UG via the Audio-visual Box (Multichoice, KTV [Kids Television], BOP TV and TV Africa) but not Print Media. Nevertheless, the Best I know (Jonathan Shapiro) makes up for all my Ignorance and I only learnt of him through a Video and the Internet. He's probably the Finest on the African Continent. Kudos to all the rest I do not know...

There is also a Cartoonist for The Rwandan Amakuru with nice facial Illustrations...

Aiko Toons 2019 (Cropped and finally resized in Microsoft Windows Paint but Colours filled using GIMP 2.10 Software)

(E)XTRA TIME/ OVERTIME: Animation is a burgeoning Industry in Uganda, and Animators especially 2D Animation Drawers are just Tradigital or Motion Cartoonists eg Blue Monkey, Creatures Animation (Makers of "A Kalabanda Ate My Homework"), LabRat Animations (who made the Music Video for "Wakayima" by COOPY BLY), etc. They automatically fit in the Uganda Cartoon Network; Book Illustrators do too, it's all about Cartooning Associates like a Cartoon Movement or Toon Nation. Cartooning resembles Writing and Comedy especially Standup; if you attack Individuals brutally, they may as well retaliate, but if you find a middle Ground that can tickle their Ribs, good for you. When Rema dumped Eddy Kenzo for Doctor Hamza, I wanted to draw a Cartoon of Namakula asking the "Sitya Lossi" Superstar - clad in a T-shirt emblazoned on "Mango" at the front - if they could play a Game of Adam and Eve; he would reply: "I don't think so, a little Bird told me you will give the forbidden Fruit to a Doctor", but held back because it was a very Heart-wrecking Situation for someone whose Music I admired, not certain that Joke would be tasty. Of course there are many other Scenarios to explore, but at a Y-Corner (Junction), you either go left or go right! I hope GOD grants Happyness to all the three. In 2001, Ugandan Cartoonists formed an Association called Satire Gang consisting of all Editorial and Humour Cartoonists in Uganda. It was formally affiliated to the international Cartoonist Rights Network that protects Cartoonists since they are not considered Journalists. Dr. Robert Russell, the Director was present at the Inauguration hosted by Uganda Museum. Freedom of Expression must not be abused, Self-Censorship is vital. Every Year on 5th May, four Days or half a Week after Labour Day (May Day), the World celebrates Cartoonist's Day. Then on 28th October, five Months later, the Earth marks International Animation Day set up in 2002 by the International Animated Film Association or ASIFA (abbreviated from its French Name: ASsociation Internationale du Film d’Animation). Maybe that Way, I will also get to know Who is Who? in UG. I cannot exhaust this List; I've done what I could based on my Limits of Knowledge but will keep updating it until I bypass 100 Cartoonists, if GOD wills. In Twenty20 during the Covid-19 lockdown, I had an epiphany that literally renewed my interest in making cartoons; I coined the word Ugatoons to describe the feeling...

Graffiti Skills taught to Me by Imran Azad

"Innovation Katogo" was the theme for the last Wapi Event in 2008 (organised by the British Council plus Silk Events) and I managed to spray paint my very first amateur Graffiti before making my annual Christmas pilgrimage to Arua the next weekend (Didn't even attend my Old Fellow Jona's Wedding).

My very first professional painting was around August 2007 but it wasn't graffiti, just an interior decoration for an old boy. The second followed immediately just before CHOGM.

Imran Azad, the uniquely colourful artist taught me some valuable techniques I applied to produce my 'INOV8RZ' Graffiti piece, maybe you can use them too! Someone said he liked the way I did the Z, I liked it too. Not bad overall but I felt I needed to do much better than I did, paint dripped in some areas even after I started fantastically. I lost my nerve somehow close to the climax and even held my spray-can with two hands. Some stranger who came late and couldn't get a board wanted to help me finish my name smoothly. I let him do it; he advised me to spray once (that is continuously) while creating a letter. Another guy asked me to spray on his trousers, wow! Was that fan courtesy? Naah, I think I was just available. Roland who did a live painting during Kirk Franklin's previous Serena Concert was on my right side. The girl on my left side was also doing it for her first time and told her friends I was quite 'good' despite everything else but the highlight guy whom my second cousin Edwin (holding a videocam) told me to check out was a white painter whose meticulous touch was so smooth that it attracted several watchers. Owl (real name Derrick Muhiirwa) had remarkable stuff near the fence. Imran , my mentor was also loud with about two pieces. The master (who bravely appeared in Desire Luzinda’s song “Bingi” while other men shunned the bare-chested role in the video) painted great stuff too. He later confessed that I did better than he thought I would on my first attempt. I know that everybody has a certain talent but we need practice to perfect our disciplines.

Here are a few guidelines he shared with me before and during the December drill. I have chosen to summarise them into seven entries:

1. Spray from a distance, it may be faint but it prevents the dripping of paint. (Remember to always wear a mask covering your nose to avoid poisoning!)
2. Learn to use the index finger, weaker than the thumb but allows flexibility. The thumb may not give you very good results compared to the index finger (aka second or forefinger)
3. Do not try to rub away paint when there is another colour around, will cause a mixture and result in a new colour
4. Be free (and not uneasy). Don't be nervous, relax, YOU CAN DO IT! (He said that just about the time Obama became the First Black President of America)
5. To create a line that is smooth, depress the aerosol and spray once while making lines
6. To keep the paint mixed, you can turn the can upside down in addition to shaking
7. Start by spraying light colours like yellow first, then add dark ones (As for me, I don't mind the reverse as long as you know your vision)!

(Personal Exploration) Maisha Filmlab Master Class taught on Eid el Fitiri (8th August 2013) by WILLIAM WHEELER [Screenwriter of Mira Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012 Film)]:

''If you have an Idea, write it down! We are all given Ideas. Some of us bring them to fruition, some of us don’t. Don’t say you are not good at this; who cares? Don’t say ‘I’m the most Boring Person in the World’! Forces inside of us come up with Ideas that slow us down yet Stories unite us and change Cultures. A brilliant entertaining Film can take Someone’s Cares away after a long Day at Work. Make Time to write daily, you are most likely to finish! What is the One Thing a Story needs? Characters! The more deeply connected viewers are to the characters, the more they will be interested in the film. Share the Hopes and Dreams of the Person in the Situation; it’s their Life and Reality! Your Characters have no Idea that it’s just a Story. Viewers can connect with the Person even if they do not like them. All Characters possess Traits, Desires and must make Decisions. Character is the Problem a Story solves. Complications take a Character through a Metamorphosis of his Desires from conscious to unconscious for instance in The Reluctant Fundamentalist, Changez was chasing the American Dream, but after the 9/11 World Trade Centre Terror Attacks, he wished for a Pakistani Dream instead. As a Private Exercise, Wheeler advised that you should honestly write about your Problem while answering some specific Questions! In the End, you will have written a Story that obeys the Laws of Drama, Triumphs and Transformations based on the Parts of yourself investigated. Draw Narratives from your Experience!''

In the Afternoon, the Movie screened was “Tootsie” from Columbia Pictures about an Actor named Michael who cross-dressed as a Woman in order to get a professional acting Role that had eluded him for 20 Years. One line that summarizes the Drama in the Story came at the end when the Main Protagonist speaks to Julie, a fellow Cast Member with whom he shared a Dressing Room throughout his Falsehood, “I was a better Man with you as a Woman than I ever was as a Man with a Woman…”

During the Question Session, Maisha Filmlab Founder Mira Nair confessed that she likes the creative Uniqueness of Ugandan English just like Indian English, and narrated an Incident at Makerere University Kampala where a Campuser dressed in Army Fatigue was asked where he was going. His amusing reply was, “I’m going to attack the Library!”

Launching a Website documenting Uganda’s Built Heritage

On Tuesday 30th June 2009 at the Uganda National Museum opposite Seascallop Restaurant on Kira Road, the Makerere University Faculty of Technology Department of Architecture launched the website (www.tech.mak.ac.ug/heritage) documenting and illuminating the surviving historic built heritage of Uganda. The Mission of the Website is: To create awareness about surviving built heritage resources of Uganda so as to impact the local preservation arena with a research, publishing and archiving culture as a powerful tool for conservation action. The website features religious bodies, primary plus tertiary institutions, culture functions, health services, residences and public art. As referred to in the 1972 UNESCO Convention for Conservation and Protection of the World Natural and Cultural Heritage, it includes works of monumental sculpture, painting and other monuments, elements or structures of archaeological nature, inscriptions, cave dwellings and combinations of features, groups of buildings: groups of separate or connected buildings which because of their architecture, their homogeneity or their place in the landscape are outstanding historically, artistically or scientifically. Also included are residential precincts, business premises, sites, parks and gardens and or mixed use facilities.

Many interesting ideas were shared during the workshop. I came in very late and couldn’t place names to the various contributors but here are a few of the ideas:
“Without architectural acumen, you may create a lame building, or a deaf one. Create things like you for the future generations! Beautiful buildings attract tourists. Souvenirs of buildings for example T-Shirts of Namirembe Cathedral when sold can be bought and earn money.”

“There is a problem in Uganda as a result of the education system; people do not appreciate culture. Some politicians speak bad about other regions. There is no spirit of cooperation. We have our own innovations but do not believe in ourselves. Some MUK professors reject bibliographies that include work by professors like Justice George Wilson Kanyeihamba (Chancellor of KIU – Kampala International University) from our own country. In our Primary Schools, if you speak vernacular, you are caned. The issue of culture should be brought up at the primary level. When rebels wage wars, they shouldn’t destroy the existing landmarks.

“(In some European countries, they pray for maximum destruction during war so that they can start the first development program.) For architecture, whenever you look at a building, there is a signal in your brain. Someone once asked: ‘Why zone floors, here don’t go beyond three floors?’ Let us appreciate the dwarf, the tall, the Karimojong.”

“Forces of globalization (colonialism) have destroyed indigenous values where people would sit down and listen to their grandparents. These were negative trends brought before we were born, it’s now up to us to change that. Nevertheless, English helps us understand further, higher, deeper and larger. We do not have to abandon vernacular.”

“Students fail simple exams set at the Faculty of Technology because they never understand the fundamentals or abstracts which can be taught best using vernacular. Uganda teaches sciences in English but if you draw a line from Nimule, in Southern Sudan or New Sudan, to the North Pole you will find that all teach in their local languages.”

“If you want to know the future, you must glorify the present. This project has come to fill the vacuum. The grant from the U.S. Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation will surely ignite Ugandans.”

Nelson Abiti aka Nelly, one of the Uganda Museum facilitators at the workshop emphasized to me after the proceedings that, “Colonial evangelists taught us how our traditional cultures were of the Devil, yet when someone takes very good care of a certain tree in his homestead, he is actually honouring GOD who made the tree.”

Church-itecture

Uganda is blessed with many inspired Church designs from East to West, North to South eg St. Andrew's Church of Uganda Jinja, St. Andrew's Bukoto, SMACK Chapel (rooftop like an eagle), St. Philip's Arua, Namirembe Cathedral, Emmanuel Cathedral, Miracle Centre Rubaga, etc...

Treating the Common Cold (plus My Top 11 Cartoons)

Having a Cold is a terrible Health experience, the mucus, sneezing and difficult-breathing through a blocked nose can drive you mad! But don’t worry, on Thursday 12th February 2009, Deutsche Welle (DW-TV) featured an interview on the Health Programme ‘in good shape’ to get you in good shape when you have a cold: “Drink lemon in hot water, add honey; drink Carmamile in hot water, eucalyptus base; Get some rest, put your feet in hot Water to make your Temperature rise; drink a hot cup of herbal tea (3 Cups a day); take it easy; tie a scarf around your neck to keep yourself warm..." [The last one I have tried so many times and it works wonders; I wish I did not overlook it during my school career. The Heat generated by a warm cloth around your neck makes the Flu Virus uncomfortable like sweet Revenge against the devils partying inside your nose, heehee; ask Osmosis Jones! If you are using garlic to soathe a sore throat, you might find that it tastes better with Groundnuts, that’s what my Arua Uncle Diyo once told me. Sometimes, I would gargle salt water or sniff eucalyptus leaves hoping they work like Vicks Kingo or similar balms; the leaves smell like the green Sweet Peps (Cough drops) very popular in Ordinary Level.] The other Super-Remedy for Common Flu I discovered in February Twenty21 is Pine Needle Tea; it contains five times more Vitamin C than Oranges. This is a Jungle Hack or Wilderness Survival tip I accepted to try out while watching Discovery Channel at my Best Friend's crib. Sickness is war, so you have to search for the Most Ballistic medicines to stage a resistance. Pine needle tea literally removes mucus from the lungs in two days; I found small amounts of blood in my nostrils when I overdosed on the green tea which was a sign that it is quite potent. Kung Flu (Coronavirus Disease-19) may be lethal to our breathing system, but there is no infectious disease without a GOD-engineered herb already in existence. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 39 categories of diseases. JESUS was whipped 39 times to heal all our infirmities and sicknesses. Call on HIM...

My Top 11 Cartoons

Here are 11 of the Best Cartoons I have ever marveled at, but in no particular hierarchy:

1. Galaxy Rangers: I guess the team was something like the Fantastic Four, the main guy had an arm that could turn into probably a gun (not sure), another was probably massive like the beast in X-Men, and the third man could turn on flames and fly or was he invisible at times? Meanwhile the woman probably had similar qualities like Mr. Reed’s wife in F4 but she wasn’t called Invisible Woman. I cannot remember the details properly because I was below 10 years of age…

2. The Adventures of X-Men (Probably Japanese Anime): I loved this creatively produced show because of the flowing adult dialogue and interesting characters…My favourite X-Mutants included the Beast because he seemed untouchable, invincible and could walk on the wall as well as ceiling. Wolverine’s fury inspired me to remain angry whenever I wanted to feel macho. Gangbit was a fantastic rogue like the red masked guy in Wild Cats. I admired Cyclopes’s laser emitting eye power…Someone, probably the creator of the story, once commented that there is a GOD-made X-Man in each one of us, great stuff!

3. Adventures of Zelda: It usually came after the Kids’ Kamp Show (My motivating factor for story-telling), a collection of very interesting cultural folk stories and legends from Europe and it featured a macho young man who was out to fight evil plus save the beautiful woman of his life in each episode she faced very difficult trouble in. It was more like a romantic action cartoon…

4. Batman Animated Series: The previous three were watched mainly on KTV (Kids Television) in Jinja but when I came to Kampala, Zoom Club - STV (Sanyu Television)’s Children’s Extravaganza during the weekend had a feature of the caped crusader that sizzled. I love Batman because he does not kill, does not mind losing out on love because he is dedicated to his service, hides his real identity from even the best spies and does not claim to have super powers. He is just a normal human being with very unusual gadgets when on duty, things that would make bats and policemen jealous…

5. Wild Cats: I loved reading about them in Comics (like The Price) and they are a wonderful covert team fighting the wicked Demonites, no wonder “(Wild) Cats” stands for “(Wild) Covert Action Teams”. I also like the TV series because of the mature dialogue and well designed costumes…

6. Galactik Football: A football fanatic (especially one appreciative of Arsenal’s entertaining offensive play, also called “Kawoowo” meaning ‘delicious flavour’ by Kampalans) who cannot feel this French animated series has a conflict of interests for sure. This is simply fantasy football brought to life on screen…

7. 2 Stupid Dogs: I have never met any individuals as stupid, funny and ridiculously brainless as these two homedogs. They are truly man’s best friend. If all dogs were like these two, the world would be a laughing village…

8. Kissyfur: A nice Woodland adventure about a young cute bear that had to be very watchful or else he would be trapped by the two evil crocodiles in the forest marshes. This toon alongside two others marketed well the profile of CTV (Cablesat Television). Its appearance was also more polished than the 3 bears in the Goldilocks story I always read earlier on in life…

9. Duck Tales: This was the other of CTV’s first three gem-toons featuring the Richest Duck in the whole world. His name was neither Bill Gates, Warren Buffet nor Slim but Donald, and I mean Donald Duck, not Donald Trump ... Duck Tales, oohwooh ooh!

10. M.I.B (Men In Black) Animated - The Instrumental at the end from a song written by Will Smith (also Agent J in the Movie) and others, makes each episode feel unforgetable even if it's over...

11. Animation Films: It would be unreasonable not to mention feature length animation films as one of my favourite toons. So I have decided to make that the final entry on my list and they are quite many including The Incredibles, Antz, Finding Nemo, Prince of Egypt, et cetera…

Footsubishi (Poem by Aiko)

My P5 English teacher called me a hypocrite.

My A-Level classmate called me daft, stupid, fake and boring with cassava stem legs.

My campus crush told me everything I want to give her she will get from another man.

My neighbour labelled me an Earlyman,

But here I am.

Foot-subishi and Pa-jero,

Keep walking!

Isn't Michael Jackson still alive?

Despite his cardiac arrest on Thursday 25th June 2009, I believe Michael Jackson is still alive just like Aaliyah whom he inspired (at least in the hearts of many music lovers). Uganda is many hours ahead of the US and around the afternoon of the same day here, someone played ‘Heal the World’ in the office and I sang along not knowing that by the following morning I would be reading on a friend’s Facebook update that MJ had gone to meet his MAKER, Glory to HIM! The friend didn’t even have kind words for him but MJ will forever be an icon in my Hall of Fame. I became a fan of MJ’s music around 1991 when the psychedelically marketed ‘Dangerous’ Album came to Jinja, my birthplace. I was just over 7 years old but love (or lust) for the opposite sex was becoming a real thing for me so I understood what he was saying. ‘Black or White’ featuring the Coolest Kid at that time (McClurkin from the addictive ‘Home Alone’ film franchise) was overplayed on TV in the 90s cementing the Black Elvis’s status in my mind as the World’s Favourite Entertainer. Little did I know that in 1982 two years before I was born, he had achieved a music marketing record that has never been broken. He literally died an invincible Record Holder with the Best Selling Album of All – Time, that is, “Thriller”. It is not my favourite but regardless of my preferences, his record still stands. Nevertheless, I must confess that most, if not all, of his songs are really good and he had a knack of featuring well known personalities in his videos.

My favourite Michael Jackson song is ‘Stranger in Moscow’. It is so heart-warming that you feel even rain falling on your skin or anything refreshing (instead of tears) can actually wash away the pain in your heart. Just bask in the sun of a beach, rain of a street or lose yourself in anything good and feel it wash away the troubles in your life: “Your Madness is Your Gladness” is usually my Pain Therapy. Amazingly, Wacko Jacko – nickname due to his changing face – wrote this song while on tour in Moscow, Russia. He was being accused in law courts back home of molesting kids and he felt lonely, isolated, abandoned and on the verge of madness. After everything he had done for people, he couldn’t believe they had turned against him, talk of Ba Yuda (Traitors, Impostors, Masqueraders, Liars, Back Stabbers, Haters, Opportunists, Viper Snakes, Hypocrites, Slimy Mud Slingers, Kigeugeu (Double Standards), Bloodsuckers or in Biblical terms Judases, Balaams, Jezebels, Delilahs and Absaloms. They smile in the light and hate in the dark like Two faced Vultures, Hypocrites, and Sons of the Devil). He actually acquired his Neverland Ranch to get away from this celebrity life. Judie Brisse, his caretaker at the ranch, confessed that Michael ‘could not trust anyone.’ ‘Stranger in Moscow’ is the 5th and final single in “HIStory” (his 1996 album), “When you are alone and you’re cold inside. Like Stranger in Moscow, LORD have mercy. (We are talkin' danger. We are talkin' danger, baby! Like Stranger in Moscow X2) I'm livin' lonely, I'm livin' lonely, baby. Like Stranger in Moscow”

Quincy Jones, his long time production partner was shocked by the sad news. I guess he will miss the hugest gem he had ever handled by my standards. Before playing the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup Final (the precursor of the 2010 Soccer World Cup – the first in Africa) against defending champions Brazil, American striker Landon Donovan told a press conference that when they win, he would dedicate the championship to Michael Jackson and not Barack Obama. Blacks have always been doing great things. Personally, I was not too excited when Obama became the first Black President, there had already been Blacks in high governmental and judicial positions. This was just the final frontier that was definitely going to be conquered. I knew it wasn’t about race, we are all brothers and sisters and can do what others do. That’s what MJ preached. I do not even care what religion he was, what I know is that he taught unity and equality. If that is evil, then I would rather spend my time listening to artists like him than pretend to be holier than him like some people. In the game, American goalie Tim Howard (Golden Glove Recipient) kept Brazil chasing shadows in the first half. Then Donovan consumating a thrilling fast break scored USA’s second, what to me was the Goal of the Match dedicated to Michael Jackson, even though the World Champions inevitably returned in the Second Half with three Cup-Winning strikes: Two from Luis Fabiano (Silver Ball and Golden Shoe) and the winner headed in late from Elano’s corner by Samba Boys Captain Lucio (Fair Play Award Recipient). Golden Ball winner Kaka’s legitimate goal was even disallowed, the linesman was blind that moment. I knew Brazil could come back but felt for Dempsey (Bronze Ball Award Winner) who scored the first US goal. The pain of losing the final made him shed tears; that’s how painful it must have also felt losing MJ: Fans cried profusely outside the Ronald Reagan Hospital where he had been taken from his home. No hard feelings Uncle Sam, but MJ featured Brazil (who also belong to Jesus) in his song ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ so they probably deserved to win too. His moves have been copied in small time studios around the world and even parodied by contemporary artists like Eminem and Keri Hilson. In my Mad Thoughts, if Usher, Justin Timberlake, Ginuwine, Chris Brown and Omarion stage a concert in Memory of the King, it could be the best alternative gift to the world that was anticipating the real thing MJ died preparing for.

My favourite Videos by MJ were "Black or White" (Of course) and “Bad”, for the 1987 Album’s title track, directed by Martin Scorsese and featuring Wesley Snipes. The quality is so classy that it beats some modern ones. His high pitched voice and thrilling dance strokes can also be viewed in ‘Earth Song’, ‘Cry’, ‘You Are Not Alone’, ‘Beat It’, ‘Billie Jean’, ‘Do U Remember the Time?’ featuring Magic Johnson and Eddie Murphy. Wow, USA has really produced many legends with the MJ initials from Michael Jordan to Magic Johnson, Michael Johnson to Marion Jones to Mick Jagger (of the Rolling Stones) and Montell Jordan. The videos ‘USA for Africa’ and ‘Liberian Girl’ have a star-studded cast showing you just how far MJ reached. The latter (Dedicated to Elizabeth Taylor - the Most Beautiful Woman in the World) actually features the greatest actors during their generation namely Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, John Travolta plus others. My Favourite American Director Steven Spielberg also made an appearance when someone asked,, ‘Who’s directing this? Where is Michael?” Another wonder is that the girl at the start of the video speaks in Swahili, East Africa’s Official Language. By the way, a maid who once worked for MJ has a home in Bushenyi, Western Uganda so his loss is felt here too. If you watch ‘Moonwalker’, a musical movie by the ‘King of Pop’, you will notice how movie-like most of his music videos were, fantastic stuff. In my life, I do not think I will ever see another performer as thrilling as Michael Jackson, he was simply the World’s Greatest. Unfortunately, he made some Satanic Covenants, LORD have Mercy!

Whose Role is it in Supporting Arts?

The third series of the Bayimba Cultural Discussions (sponsored by Hivos) were held on Friday 24th April 2009 at Club Rouge.

("It became clear during the first discussions that culture and arts are important in shaping and transforming society. The arts were defined as expressions and visible parts of culture.

In any developing economy, the creative arts industry is a key sector that contributes to both economic and social development. It is widely recognized that arts can reach corners no one can reach. It can pass on powerful messages: for the good (e.g. Jose Chameleone sang about domestic violence, Bobi Wine pleads to his ghetto families for community work and self realisation, Pamela of Shalom Rapperz (Holy Rhapsody) - a Hiphop Gospel group comprising three hunks and a Mukiga belle - sings about integrity in the promiscuous world (Catch their videos on TOP TV or at JP Plaza Nkrumah Road), Lady J from West Nile sings about having fun while we are still alive, Chandiru Leila sings about Prostitutes fleecing promiscuous men, Desire Luzinda featuring Ngoni sings about Faithfulness in Marriage while Silver Kyagulanyi writes songs about Love) but also for bad (e.g. a Rwandan artist that was recently convicted for having contributed to the genocide).

However, the creative arts industry needs to be supported to reach this level – a vision for a sustainable creative arts industry needs to be in place. And, for the creative arts industry to contribute successfully to shaping and transforming society arts and creative minds need to be supported – their quality and professionalism needs to be enhanced.

The question is who should support the arts sector?

The role of the community:
In the absence of funding, communities often pitch in to ensure that initiatives go forward. One should not underestimate the community spirit and spirit of volunteers in sustaining the arts. However, to reach a certain level of professionalism and quality that is called for, these communities and individuals need to be supported in their efforts.

The role of the government:
There are several reasons why a government could/should support arts and art institutions. First, because arts can be seen as a collective good: everyone should be able to enjoy. The government assist in making sure that everyone can actually enjoy. Second, because arts is considered a merit good: art as a means to educate people and the population. Third, because it is necessary to conserve some forms of arts (heritage). Finally, because of the potential positive external effects of arts: arts centres and events have an effect on (local) economy while arts can contribute to national tourism and boost a country’s image.

Role of the private sector:
Private businesses, foundations and wealthy individuals have been an important factor in support of arts. What motivates businesses, foundations and individuals to give to the arts – what reason or benefit do they see to support the arts sector? Whereas foundations and individuals are inclined to have more altruistic reasons to provide support (linked to individual interest in arts and belief in role of arts in society), private businesses provide support because they see a mileage in a certain arts initiative or see it as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).

It is mind-boggling how private businesses perceive sponsorship to arts activities: support to the arts sector is rather ad hoc and at an individual level – there is no advert that is made without the involvement of arts (radio spots use music, television spots use graphics, artists are appearing in adverts or used for posters). There are also disciplines of arts that are more attracting to businesses. Whereas private businesses are testifying that music and arts form the thesis of all things we do in life, there is no ground support to the arts sector. It would be preferred if businesses would not only use arts to make money but also return to the very sector they are relying on for their publicity and marketing. A mutual relationship between arts and private businesses would eventually be beneficial to both sectors.

The following questions are raised:
1. Do arts need to be supported?

2. Who should support the arts? What blending of public and private support is needed?

3. How do government and private sector relate to arts? What are the reason(s) for supporting arts?

4. What is the government responsibility in the creation of a cultural vibrant society?

5. What is the role of private businesses? Who are other supporters of arts?

6. How do we support arts? In what way can government, private businesses assist? Direct funding, indirect support?

7. Is there a way we can build an arts sector that is sustainably and not only depending on external (public or private) support?

Arts play a beneficial role in society – the benefits can be both social and economic. We will need to agree that art is good for people as well as for the economy – it provides jobs, it educates, it keeps kids off the street. We also need to agree that our talented artists can be excellent ambassadors of Uganda – they can change the image of Uganda that remains to be known for its violent history and politics.

Our wish is to see Uganda as a community where arts are vibrant and alive, balancing between the more traditional forms of arts (Kiganda dance, entoogoro etc.) and the emerging creative industries. To become recognised as a creative nation and to develop the full potential of arts as a contributing factor to positive change requires a certain level of support to our creative arts industry.") Most of this information was courtesy of the Bayimba Team.

Panellists included:

Steven Rwangyezi – Ndere Cultural Centre

Emily Drani – Cross Cultural Foundation

Mark Kaheru – UTL

Ms. Kuruhiira – Commissioner for Culture and Family Affairs