Tanzania former cabinet minister, environmentalist and academician appreciates the work of Engabu Za Tooro in safeguarding heritage

Prof. Mwandosya and his wife at Engabu Za Tooro offices

Tanzania former cabinet minister of environment has appreciated the work of Engabu Za Tooro in safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding like Empaako and Koogere oral traditions.

“Your projects in safeguarding cultural heritage in Need of Urgent safeguarding is a model which can be replicated in Tanzania.” Said Prof. Mwandosya

Prof. Mark J. Mwandosya who was accompanied by his wife Mrs. Lucy A. Mwandosya and Mr. Dan Rubombora had an engagement meeting with Engabu Za Tooro staff who briefed him on the progress in the implementation of Empaako Intangible Cultural Heritage safeguarding and revitalization.

Currently, Engabu Za Tooro is implementing a UNESCO co-funded project UGA 01210 on documentation and revitalization of Empaako naming rituals and practices among the Banyoro, Batooro, Batuku, Banyabindi and Batagwenda communities in Western Uganda - East Africa.

Engabu Za Tooro staff also briefed Prof. Mwandosya on the global folklore event the organization is slated to host on 22^nd and 23^rd June 2019 in Fort Portal in partnership with the International Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF).

Prof. Mwandosya posing for a group photo with Engabu Za Tooro staff

Prof. Mwandosya contributed USD 100 to ensure the success of the global event on folklore which aims at hosting CIOFF Africa leaders, showcasing and filming representative Uganda’s folklore heritage and installing Uganda’s CIOFF Associate status towards establishment of CIOFF Uganda Section in Fort Portal, Uganda.

The former Tanzanian cabinet minister was also a Professor of Electrical Engineering holding an endowed Professorial Research Chair in Energy Technology and Management at the University of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Prof. Mwandosya has over 20 years of professional and lecturing experience in Tanzania, Norway and U.S.A and has devoted much of his time in research and studies in energy and natural resource development and use.

CIOFF folklore global event invitation card

Since 1993 Prof. Mwandosya has participated actively in and was head of the Climate Change Studies Programme in Tanzania. He has attended meetings of Subsidiary Bodies and Conferences of Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change since 1995.

In 1997 Prof. Mwandosya was the Chairman of the Group of 77 and spokesman for the Group of 77 and China at the meetings of the subsidiary bodies for the Climate Convention and during the negotiations for the Kyoto Protocol.

In 2007 special stamp was issued by the Tanzania Postal Services to recognize his contribution to the protection of the environment. He is currently a member of the Steering Committee of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) International Resource Panel.