The training organised and facilitated by the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) was conducted from 11th to 13th February 2025 at the Oil Land Safari Hotel in Buliisa.
It was attended by 12 primary and 4 secondary school teachers, alongside 2 local government representatives.
The capacity of teachers was built to enable them to establish and manage heritage clubs for young people in their schools.
For three days, teachers reflected on the notion of culture and heritage, its meaning, values and threats, which they will transfer to learners.
Cultural heritage components such as cultural rights, managing cultural diversity, livelihoods, culture and the environment, among others, were discussed.
Participants visited Tuliime Hamwe Women’s Group to learn how culture is promoting environmental conservation and generate ideas that can be implemented at the school level.
Bugungu Heritage and Information Centre, a community museum, was also visited, where participants interacted with different aspects of heritage and also got firsthand experience on how communities can safeguard heritage.
Speaking during the training, Prof. Levi Musinguzi, the Chief Administrative Officer of Buliisa District, said communities are disconnected from their heritage, which has resulted in immorality and other vices, such as gender-based violence in homes.
Musinguzi applauded CCFU and TotalEnergies for reconnecting young people with their heritage and noted that it will serve as a “moral campus” for children as they learn traditional values.
He also noted that the programme will be instrumental in complementing the school curriculum by diversifying practical activities for learners.
James Mugisa, the District Inspector of Schools, said that the Heritage Education Programme “directly feeds into the government mandate, by contributing to the achievement of the first objective of secondary and primary school education, which is partly about inculcating heritage education among learners”.
Mariam Byakagaba, the Paraa Primary School Headteacher, noted that the introduction of the heritage club at her school will “keep learners excited and interested in coming to school because of new cocurricular activities”.
CCFU’s Heritage Education Programme
According to Fredrick Nsibambi, the CCFU Deputy Executive Director, the Foundation started the programme in schools to bridge the gap between young people and their heritage.
Nsibambi highlighted that young people spend a lot of time in school and while at home, parents no longer have time to educate them about their heritage, a role the programme is playing.
The establishment of the 8 heritage clubs will increase the number to 28 in the district.
The Heritage Education Programme in Buliisa is supported by TotalEnergies EP Uganda.
