From May 20th to 22nd, the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) held strategic meetings in Nyakatonzi, Kasese District, and Bwindi, Kanungu District, to engage Basongora and Batwa women in its expanding Cultural Enterprises Project. This marks a significant step in empowering Indigenous Minority Groups through culture-driven livelihoods.
For over seven years, CCFU has supported women from Indigenous communities to harness their cultural heritage as a source of both identity and income. Through its cultural enterprises initiative, the Foundation encourages the use of locally available materials to produce crafts, music, and other cultural expressions, activities that celebrate tradition while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
During the recent meetings, CCFU and the communities discussed a range of potential initiatives including craft-making, music, dance, drama, cattle-keeping, and youth mentorship programs. These culturally rooted activities are designed not only to generate income but also to preserve and promote the unique identities of the Basongora and Batwa people.
The inclusion of Basongora women from Nyakatonzi and Batwa women from Bwindi brings the number of participating groups in the project to five. They join the Benet women in Kapchorwa, Nubian women in Bombo, and the Rwebisengo Widows Cultural Association in Ntoroko District.
Through this initiative, CCFU aims to identify, safeguard, and enhance indigenous knowledge and skills. The program also supports value addition in craft production, the documentation and performance of traditional music, and the intergenerational transfer of knowledge. Additionally, it promotes intercultural collaboration and contributes to the diversity of goods and services within Uganda’s creative industry.
Ultimately, the Cultural Enterprises Project highlights the vital role of culture in community development, fostering resilience, identity, and economic empowerment among Indigenous Minority Groups across Uganda.
