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UNCC to Host 7th Annual Arts and Culture Festival as Uganda Eyes Technology-Driven Cultural Growth

Ssemaganda Moses Hope
By Ssemaganda Moses Hope


UNCC to Host 7th Annual Arts and Culture Festival as Uganda Eyes Technology-Driven Cultural Growth
UNCC to Host 7th Annual Arts and Culture Festival as Uganda Eyes Technology-Driven Cultural Growth

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By Mutuunzi Saul

The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) is set to host the 7th Annual Arts and Culture Festival from November 6 to 7, 2026, at the National Theatre in Kampala, bringing together artists, cultural institutions, policymakers, academics and other stakeholders to explore the role of culture in sustainable development through technology and innovation.

 

 

The two-day festival will run under the theme “Culture for Sustainable Development, Leveraging Technology and Innovation,” highlighting the importance of integrating modern technology and innovative approaches into the promotion, preservation and commercialisation of Uganda’s cultural heritage.

Speaking to journalists during a press conference held at the National Theatre on Tuesday, October 27, UNCC Executive Director Francis Peter Ojede said the festival would attract participants from across Uganda, the East African Community (EAC), India and other countries, providing a platform for cultural exchange, networking and collaboration.

 

Ojede said the event would bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, the private sector, academia, civil society organisations and cultural institutions from different parts of the country.

He noted that the festival is intended to promote cultural diversity while demonstrating how arts and culture can contribute to economic growth, particularly through the adoption of technology and innovative practices.

 

 

According to Ojede, the festival will feature exhibitions and a symposium focusing on skills development, songwriting, filmmaking and product marketing, among other activities designed to strengthen the capacity of people working in the creative and cultural industries.

The planned activities are expected to provide artists and other participants with opportunities to showcase their talents, share knowledge, explore emerging technologies and identify ways of turning cultural products into sustainable economic ventures.

 

The focus on technology and innovation also reflects the growing importance of digital platforms and modern production techniques in expanding the reach of creative works, connecting artists to wider audiences and creating new opportunities for cultural enterprises.

Through the festival, organisers aim to encourage collaboration among government institutions, cultural organisations, creative professionals and private-sector players to strengthen the contribution of Uganda’s arts and culture sector to national development.

The event will be co-sponsored by several partners, including the Uganda Federation of Movie Industry (UFMI), the Uganda Heritage and Tourism Board and Yamaha Uganda, among others.

 

Their participation is expected to support efforts to promote the creative sector and strengthen partnerships between cultural institutions and businesses.

The 7th Annual Arts and Culture Festival comes as artists and cultural practitioners continue to explore new ways of preserving Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage while adapting to changing technologies, markets and audience preferences.

 

 

By bringing together local and international participants, the festival is expected to provide a platform for exchanging ideas, developing creative skills and exploring opportunities to make arts and culture more competitive and economically sustainable.

The event will take place at the National Theatre in Kampala from November 6 to 7, 2026.

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