Promoting Intangible Cultural Heritage in Institutions of Higher Learning in Uganda

Kabale University in partnership with Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda is implementing a three years project of promoting intangible cultural heritage in Ugandan Universities. This project is sponsored by UNESCO and Kabale University is among the four Universities that we’re selected to implement the project.
The project focuses on creating awareness and sensitizing the communities on the importance and relevance of cultural heritage

On 6th February 2019, a Public Lecture on Language and Cultural identity was organized by Kabale University where a number of stakeholders from Kigezi participated.
Professor Joy C. Kwesiga, the Vice- Chancellor, Kabale University officially opened the Public Lecture, in her opening remarks,Prof. Kwesiga thanked Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda for the super heading the initiative of preserving the African culture. Professor Kwesiga noted that, as people who were formerly colonized by we lost a lot in regards to our cultural identity however she said,through such projects, we still have an opportunity to restore culture including use of our own names and indigenous knowledge.

Mr. John De Cominck the Executive Director,Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda highlighted the objectives of this project which includes; to profile intangible cultural heritage in Uganda and upscale education in cultural studies, and to work with Universities to develop a curriculum to train and build capacity of Lecturers and Students to Promote intangible Culture. He thanked Kabale University for welcoming the idea and now at the implementation stage.

As one of the keynote speaker, Prof. Rev. Canon. Dr. John Kamugisha Muranga,in his illustrious and passionate presentation which was filed with both rich theory and empirical facts together with his own experiences on Language and Culture, Professor Muranga demonstrated the importance of language and cultural identity. During the presentation he highlighted that it’s impossible to divorce culture and language, he further said that even sign Language for the deaf is an expression of Culture referring to different aspects of the culture that they live in including the tangible and intangible aspects which are all presented in their sign language.

Professor Ezra Mishambi Twesigomwe DVC Academic Affairs, Kabale University, in his closing remarks he said, Cultural Studies at Kabale University should be made part of the Cross cutting subjects to enable all students access the cultural knowledge and called for sustainable implementation of Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda projects. He narrated his personal experiences on Language and it’s impact on cultural identity.