The 6th Heritage Awards 2024 by CCFU leaves many surprised. Veteran journalist Tony Owana scoops one.

4 October 2024, 10:59 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Mission for The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda (CCFU) is to promote an appreciation of culture as a vital human development that responds to people’s diverse identities. It is against this background that CCFU has held its 6th Heritage Awards for this year at Kampala Capital City Authority Mayor’s Palour. In his address, the deputy Executive Director of CCFU, Mr. Frederick Nsibambi narrated the story and significance of the awards. “People intend to demolish the monuments. They need to understand the existence and the importance of the historical sites and monuments. In Kampala example, we documented many of the sites, the mayor’s Palour being one of them, the Watoto church, Bulange building and Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) building and many others” he said.

According to the executive director, as CCFU they can’t stop people from demolishing their buildings because some of the properties are privately owned but people should be aware of the values of the buildings. “We have worked with KCCA to safeguard historical ordinance to safeguard historical buildings and sites in the city and it has been discussed in KCCA and our prayer is that the city council should pass ordinance as soon as yesterday, because each passing day we are losing a lot of heritage. We have a national legislation, it applies for the entire country but its implementation is not very strong so we need a law that is strong a.” he confirmed.

The Government has been asked to take part in the initiative and support CCFU, being a non governmental organization survives on funding. The winners included; Tony Owana, one of the Uganda’s longest-serving journalists having begun his career with Uganda Television, which later, evolved into Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) Owana worked with Uganda’s earliest newspapers such as Taifa Empya and Munno. He is known to preserve numerous old newspaper cuttings.He is often referred to as “Uganda’s moving library.” Owana in addition of the award he was given a dummy cheque of 2.5 million shillings.

In intangible Heritage category, Ms Josephine Kyomuhendo (Jose Hendo) a London based, Eco-sustainable designer of Ugandan heritage. Her unique garments and accessories blend creative styles with traditional Ugandan fabrics and techniques. Notably, she incorporates bark cloth, a centuries-old textile made from backcloth tree “Mutuba” into her collections, honouring it’s historical significance while introducing it to a modern audience. Dr Yolam Nsamba is a former private secretary to the king of Bunyoro-Kitara kingdom, has dedicated his life to preserving the kingdom’s history and culture. He also received a dummy cheque.

In the Tangible category; The Uganda Nubian Consultative Forum in Bombo. This has preserved the 1922 Mosque. Whereas the Nubian/ Muslim community in Bombo constructed a new Mosque, they chose to preserve the old Mosque for purposes of showcasing the history of Islam in Uganda. Others are Rwandeke chiefdom, Tooro Botanical Gardens and lastly the media category worn by Mr. Bamuturaki Musinguzi who has been a journalist for close to 20 years.

The political head for Kampala Capital City Authority who is the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago speaking to the invited guests and others, he thanked CCFU for keeping the country awake using art and Culture. He also promised to continue working with them. One of the exhibitors, Ms Agaba Charity, the project manager for Culture Go Africa asked government to think of how to restore the culture fully in all aspects. she also raised a concern of little funds available yet they’re helping women to be empowered especially those affected with cancer. The winners of the awards thanked CCFU for recognizing them.