CCFU announces 2023 cultural heritage award winners

Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) has announced 7 winners of the prestigious cultural heritage awards.

Now in its 5^th Edition, CCFU together with partners has continued to recognize individuals, families and organisations that tremendously contribute to promoting, preserving, researching and safeguarding our cultural heritage.

The Awards identify and promote best practices in the promotion of tangible and intangible cultural heritage, and increase public awareness and appreciation of Uganda’s cultural heritage, and encourage further excellent initiatives through exemplar cases.

So far 21 awardees have been presented to various individuals, families and institutions that have been at the fore of heritage promotion.

Barbra Babweteera, the Executive Director CCFU, noted with concern that the country is going to continue witnessing loss of its precious cultural heritage if nothing is done.

“The risk of losing further our cultural heritage is real, and needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency!” she stated."

“Uganda is a country gifted with diverse cultural, natural and built heritage, the consequences of urbanisation, rapid population growth and the pressing drive for modernity have created limited spaces for cultural heritage promotion, a constant demand for new, higher-density development, often on plots which are already occupied by historical buildings and sites, all this leading to loss of cultural values, norms and principles. Many valuable built and natural heritage sites have been already lost forever.” She added.

The Guest of Honor, H.E Jan Sadek, the Head of Delegation of the European Union in Uganda said that cultural heritage is important to Uganda since it creates an identity and cohesion that is Important for the development of the country.

He also noted that the EU in Uganda is looking at tapping into production and promotion of the film and movies projects as a way of uplifting local content.

“We see that there’s a lot of potential in the film industry and creation of local content for streaming platforms and we hope it contributes to creating opportunities to creative young entrepreneurs and artists.” Sadak added.

Seven Heritage Awards have been presented to;

Tangible Heritage Awards Category

1. The Ankole Diocese in Mbarara for establishing the East African revival Museum

2. Hana Longole of Moroto for her lead role in the establishment and management of the Ateker Cultural Centre in Moroto

3. The College of Health Sciences at Makerere University that has preserved rare medical records at Albert Cook Library

Intangible Heritage Awards Category

4. The Francis Walakira Family located at Mpambire, along Masaka road. These are royal drum makers and have passed on the knowledge and the rear skills to generations

5. Judith Bakirya of Jinja for conserving and promoting indigenous/herbal medicine

5. Dr. Mercy Mirembe Ntangaare for promoting oral literature, traditional music. Dr. Mirembe is an Associate Professor of Drama/Theatre, a playwrighter and folklorist.

Heritage Press Award

7. Bismac Amumpaire for consistently reporting on cultural heritage promotion and involving in practical work regarding culture’s contribution to environmental conservation

This year, winners received Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Shillings Cash, an award and special recognition in the heritage promotion fraternity.