The prize awarding ceremony for young people
On 14th and 17th August 2023, CCFU held a prize awarding ceremony for 16 young people in Buganda and Tooro cultural communities who participated in a drawing competition for cultural resources that end violence against women and girls in their communities. Young people who participated were awarded cash prizes.
The Buganda Event
In Buganda, the event was held at Buddu Community Museum and the Pokino Jude Muleke of Buddu County was the chief guest. The Pokino was accompanied by chiefs, representatives of local government, civil society organisations, police, religious leaders, young people, and representatives of schools.
Speaking at the event, Pokino Jude Muleke applauded CCFU for its efforts to promote and preserve culture in Buganda, emphasising the role the Foundation has played in awakening the value of “obuntubulamu” (Humanness). He also appreciated CCFU “for starting heritage clubs in secondary schools which have deeply rooted young people into their culture and should now embark on the promotion of obuntubulamu among young people”
The event was organised to recognise outstanding young people and to create an opportunity for intergenerational dialogue, were young people discussed issues related to violence against women and girls with elders.
“Times have changed and we may not be able to do things the way we used to in the past. But I think culture is dynamic. We can still do “ekyoto” (the fireplace) at our dining tables to learn cultural values that groom us as responsible citizens who respect all humans, including women.” Sumayia Nanyondo, the overall winner of the competition noted.
Ms. Namwanje, the officer in charge of children and family affairs at Police in Masaka noted that culture plays a vital role while police is addressing violence in families. She said that “police encourages families to sit with elders to resolve some conflicts before reporting them”
The Tooro Event
The event was held at Muchwa chambers (the Tooro Kingdom Parliament) with the Deputy Prime Minister, Owek. Nyakake Harriet. The event was also attended by young people, patrons of heritage clubs, representatives of local government from all districts in Tooro, chiefs, civil society, the media and religious leaders.
Although the Tooro community is rich with cultural resources that are utilised to address violence against women and girls, they have not been documented and hence not largely utilised. Those that are known such as ekyoto (the fireplace), akasaka are phasing out. This also because parents are busy working toward economic survival and there is no time for children.
The Deputy Prime Minister noted that “the Tooro Kingdom is working with CCFU and the Koogere Foundation to revive some of these cultural resources.” Adding that “CCFU and Koogere Foundation have conducted several fireplace sessions to serve as reminders to people but as well highlight their value in promoting the rights of women and girls.”
At both events, young people presented poems, music and dances to raise awareness about the prevalence of the abuse of women and girl’s rights in their communities and the role culture can play in mitigating it.
Ms. Barbra Babweteera, the Executive Director of CCFU noted that it is important to teach young people about the value that culture adds to “creating societies that respect women and girls as equal beings because young people are the future generation”
Pronouncements to end violence against women and girls in Buganda and and Tooro
Both kingdoms signed pronouncements at the event to end violence against women and girls. The kingdoms committed to revive the use of cultural resources in their communities especially elders and chiefs; revive the traditional learning mechanisms on cultural values that promote the rights of women and girls and support victims to access justice.
About the competition on cultural resources to end violence against women and girls
Over the years, different stakeholders have undertaken various measures to end violence against women and girls, however, this still remains a challenge.
The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, with support from the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls and the Embassy of Sweden, is implementing a project aimed at utilising positive cultural resources to address violence against women and girls, promote sexual reproductive health rights and access to justice. The project is implemented in the 6 cultural communities of Acholi, Alur, Buganda, Busoga, Karamoja and Tooro.
As part of the project, young people in Acholi, Karamoja, Buganda and Tooro participated in a drawing competition to illustrate cultural resources in their communities that are utilised to end violence against women and girls.
Over 300 entries were collected and a jury of cultural leaders (including women) in the communities selected the best entries which have been used to develop this publication. We appreciate the cultural institutions of Buganda, Acholi, Karamoja and Tooro for supporting this competition. In Alur, a similar competition was conducted, and a publication produced.