Ugandan Artist Revitalizes Cultural Community Through Art and Food

Last year, Ugandan artist Brogan Mwesigwa was invited by his grandmother to a kumanyagana feast in Kabembe, a ceremony that emphasizes communal meals and cultural connections. This particular gathering was significant, as it brought together over 70 individuals from the Buganda and Busoga tribes, many of whom had not met in decades. The feast featured a variety of traditional dishes, including matooke, goat stew, and groundnuts, which Mwesigwa documented through photos and videos, intending to use them as inspiration for his art. Mwesigwa's experience at the kumanyagana led him to create an art installation for the KLA Art festival in Kampala, organized by 32° East. The festival's theme, “care instructions,” resonated with him, as he reflected on how his family expresses care through shared meals. Growing up in Kampala's Bukesa neighborhood, known for its diverse immigrant population, Mwesigwa aims to promote cultural diversity and foster connections through food. The KLA Art festival showcases a variety of works, including an installation by Sixte Kakinda from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which explores the cultural significance of the banana tree. Another notable piece is a video installation by German-Ugandan filmmaker Mona Okulla Obua, highlighting the traditional craft of making shea oil in the village of Otukwe. Mwesigwa notes a growing focus on African culture within the art community, emphasizing the importance of celebrating and sharing these diverse traditions.