Belgium ambassador applauds Uganda's unique traditional dances ahead of cultural festival
Belgian ambassador Hugo Verbist has applauded Ugandan traditional dance and culture, saying his government will continue to render every necessary support to preserve and promote Ugandan cultural norms and Institutions.
He made the remarks while addressing a gathering which thronged Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), to launch this year’s Arts and Culture Festival, which will run from 3rd to 4th November 2018.
“Belgium government has been rendering Uganda support to promote her cultural norms and institutions for the last 20 years and will continue to do so”, he said.
He said Uganda has one of the richest cultures in the world, which the Belgian people admire and wish to share.
“My role is to promote culture exchange between the Belgian people and Ugandans, where the Belgium Embassy will be part of this year’s Art and culture festival”, he added.
The minister of State for Gender, Labor and Social Development, Peace Mutuuzo Regius, said Ugandan culture is a social capital, which stems from 65 different cultures.
She said her ministry is in the process of lobbying parliament to put in place a Culture Week, to ensure Ugandans don’t lose their cultural norms and practices.
“It’s very disappointing to find some children speaking to their parents in English, yet they have their mother tongue language”, she said.
She said government is committed to construct 11 cultural Industrial Parks countrywide, to promote Ugandan culture. “
We also wish to put in place a National studio, to support young Artists record their music, with support from other development partners”, she added.
UNCC Executive Director Francis Peter Ojede said a total of 15 cultural leaders have confirmed attendance at this year’s Art and Culture Festival.
“In addition, we have partnered with the Batwa community to showcase their traditional dance, during this event which will attract participants from all parts of Uganda and the East Africa Community (EAC) region”, he said.
