On 22nd, August 2022, CCFU commenced field activities for its new project dubbed ‘Culture for Livelihoods.’ The project kicked off with inception visits to key stakeholders in Bunyoro, Bugungu, Alur and Acholi regions. The visits aimed at introducing the project, identifying target beneficiaries and soliciting community insights and contributions to the project.
Over 100 stakeholders were met among which included: representatives of local governments (Local Council 5 Chairpersons, Chief Administrative Officers, District Community Development Officers, culture focal persons); leaders of cultural communities of Bunyoro, Acholi, Bugungu and Alur; conservation bodies (Uganda Wildlife Authority – UWA); and community groups engaged in crafts making and performing arts.
In Bunyoro, kingdom officials appreciated the project for starting up a timely intervention, noting that most of the traditional music is adulterated, being westernised and getting influenced by the other cultures due to the influx of people in the region while some special dances and performances are at risk of extinction. The risk was attributed to demonisation of some dances such as hunting dances, dances to celebrate the birth of twins and those associated with worshipping. The same concern was echoed in Bugungu, Alur and Acholi.
Mr. Fred Lukumu, the Buliisa District LC5 Chairperson observed that Ugandan cultures are slowly eroding, courtesy of new media that promotes western culture against ours. He emphasised the need to create awareness among young people to appreciate our culture, belief systems, norms and values.
Culture for Livelihood project activities
Part of the Project’s activities will include documenting and safeguarding endangered music of the Banyoro, Bagungu, Alur and Acholi people. The Project will also support groups of people (with particular focus on women and young people) engaged in handicraft making by skilling them and creating enabling environment for them to access markets while promoting cultural tourism.
Mr. Wilson Kagoro, the Warden Community Conservation with Murchison Falls National Park, expressed UWA’s commitment to offer space at 4 of the park’s gates for the community to exhibit their culture and benefit from tourism opportunities. He also committed to offer technical support, regulated access to the park for the communities to harvest raw materials and also provide seedlings to those interested in creating their own sources of indigenous raw materials.
Mr. Benson Otoo, the Purongo Sub County LCIII Chairperson, expressed the sub county’s interest to partner with CCFU to kick-start the Purongo Cultural Centre. The district leadership of Pakwach expressed commitment to support CCFU’s activities, improve further the Wanglei site as a tourism destination and link performing artists to local tourist lodges.
About the Culture for Livelihoods project
CCFU with financial support from TotalEnergies EP Uganda as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes is implementing a one-year project aimed at promoting and enhancing cultural heritage conservation in the Albertine region. The one-year project is being implemented in Bunyoro, Bugungu, Alur and Acholi regions.
The project is premised on our previous work to empower young people and women to establish livelihood projects through cultural entrepreneurship and focuses on two sub sectors of cultural heritage – handicrafts making and music (specifically support to traditional cultural troupes) as part of cultural entrepreneurship for improved livelihoods.
The project is also part of Total’s ‘Action for Sustainability’ Campaign, which aims to showcase concrete actions that the company is taking towards sustainable development
https://crossculturalfoundation.or.ug/ccfu/2022/09/01/ccfu-commences-its-culture-for-livelihood-project-in-the-albertine-region/