Engabu Za Tooro boss installed as CIOFF Uganda President, to focus on institutional strengthening and popularizing CIOFF across the country

CIOFF Africa President officially installing CIOFF Uganda President

The Executive Director Engabu Za Tooro, Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki was yesterday Sunday 22^nd, June 2019 installed as the CIOFF Uganda President from 2019 to 2022 by the CIOFF Africa President Prince Isaac Yamekue from Cameroon at a colorful ceremony attended by thousands at Garden’s Restaurant, Fort Portal – Uganda.

“The three years as the CIOFF President, I will focus more on CIOFF Uganda institutional strengthening and popularizing CIOFF across Uganda in partnership with the Uganda Ministry of Culture and Uganda National Commission for UNESCO.” Said Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki while speaking after being presented the instruments of power by the CIOFF Africa President.

Uganda communities who showcased their Folkart, folk dance and folk music at Garden’s Restaurant - Fort Portal were the Banyoro, Batooro, Batagwenda, Bakhonzo, Bamba/Babwisi, Batuku, Basongora, Banyankole, Banyabindi, Bagungu, Mpanga SS Heritage Club and Kagote Adventist SS Heritage Club.

Engabu Za Tooro Cultural Troupe performing at the event

The Uganda minister of Culture Ms. Peace Mutunzo Akiiki who was the chief guest promised to work with CIOFF Uganda to encourage the people embrace culture since it can be used to uplift people’s livelihoods by generating income through tourism.

“The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development will work hand in hand with the President of CIOFF Uganda Stephen Rwagweri Atwoki to promote the use of culture for tourism to enable people uplift their livelihoods by generating income from culture related industries like folklore.” Said Ms. Peace Mutunzo Akiiki.

The minister added, “As a tourism city, the government of Uganda will soon set up a one stop cultural centre in Fort Portal City which will focus on documenting and revitalizing indigenous languages and  promoting folklore.”

The function was also attended by the Mayor Fort Portal Municipality Kintu Willy Muhanga Ateenyi, Member of Parliament Fort Portal Municipality Ruhunda Alex Akiiki, Bunyangabu Chairperson Ategeka James Mugarama Akiiki, Engabu Za Tooro Board Chairperson Msgr. Peter Kumaraki Araali, Senior Culture Officer in the Uganda Ministry of Culture Hajat Hajara Nalubega, Daniel Kaweesi from Uganda National Commission for UNESCO, Tooro elders like Isaaya Kalya Atwoki and Rev. Richard Baguma Adyeri among others.

Some of the revelers at the event

While speaking at the same function, Bozoa Gervais Cebeye, the delegate of the festival committee on CIOFF Africa from Ivory Coast officially passed on the official invitation from the President CIOFF International Mr. Phillipe Beaussant to CIOFF Uganda to attend CIOFF international folklore festival “Folkloriades” in Russia from July – Augusts, 2020 which is an opportunity for Uganda folk artists to showcase their folk art, folk music and folk dance to the world.

During the same event, Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund was also launched and over UGX 5 millions was realized. Tutemu Engaro Self-Help Cultural Fund is still ongoing and the public can contribute towards safeguarding and revitalizing their very own heritage threatened with extinction like Empaako Intangible Cultural Heritage by contributing to the fund at Engabu Za Tooro main offices located on Plot 18, Kaija Road, Kabundaire, Fort Portal – Uganda or contact the office on +256 (0) 483 422 187, +256 (0) 772 469 751 or Email: info@engabuzatooro.or.ug, engabuzatooro@gmail.com

Engabu Za Tooro was selected by the International Council of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) to host a global event on folklore in Uganda.

Fort Portal Municipality Mayor contributing towards Tutemu Engaro Fund

The global event was aimed 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.

Engabu Za Tooro is accredited to provide advisory services to UNESCO (ICH Convention) and accredited as an observer of the Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

Currently, the organization is co-funded by UNESCO (Intangible Heritage Fund) and local contributions to revitalize and safeguard the practice of the Empaako naming system through community self-documentation.

Hashtag: #CIOFFUgFestival