Kabalega Foundation in partnership with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom are holding a year-long commemoration of 100 years of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega’s legacy (1923 – 2023). Omukama Cwa II Kabalega; a celebrated national hero was a king (ruler) of present-day Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom and an icon in the fight for independence through his strong resistance against colonialism and imperialism, credited with great contribution to the social, cultural and economic transformation, and unification efforts of the pre-colonial East African society during his rule. Kabalega Foundation is established as a trust to preserve and promote his legacy through service and promotion of his life-long ideals.
As one of the key events to commemorate his 100 years’ legacy mark, the inaugural Kabalega Memorial Lecture has been organised; this to be held on December 18th, 2023 at Kampala Serena Hotel - Victoria Hall starting 14:00 – 19:00 Hours (EAT) under the theme: “The Role of Culture in Promotion of Development – the Case of Africa”
18 December, 2023
Kampala Serena Hotel
“The Role of Culture in Promotion of Development – the Case of Africa”
A panel of discussants drawn from the Academia, Government, Civil Society, and Cultural Institutions have been invited to discuss the subject matter.
Professor of History, Makerere University
Prof. Julius Kiiza is an Professor of Political Economy and Development in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at Makerere University (Uganda). He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree from Makerere University, a First Class Master of Public Policy from the University of Sydney (Australia), and a PhD from the same University. Julius did his postdoctoral studies at Cambridge University Centre for African Studies in 2003. He has since been a visiting fellow at Dickinson College in Pennsylvania (USA), the University of Cambridge, UK; and the Washington-based Center for Global Development. Julius has an active research and publications interest in the broad areas of institutional political economy, local content and information disclosure in the oil sector (in Uganda/East Africa), economic nationalism, and transformative industrial policies. He was the lead editor of a book entitled: Electoral Democracy in Uganda: Understanding the Institutional Processes and Outcomes of the 2006 Elections (Fountain Publishers: Kampala). Julius also authored Chap 6 (Unlocking the Economic Potential of Northern Uganda) in UNDP’s award-winning Uganda Human Development Report 2015: Unlocking the Development Potential of Northern Uganda.
Asst. Commissioner Culture, MGLSD, Uganda
Bakaye Lubega Bernard is a seasoned Culture and Social Development professional who has served in several capacities at various public institutions at national and regional levels.
He holds a first degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical Urbanian University of Rome (1991), a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy from Makerere University (1998) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Rural Participatory Development from the Galilee College Israel (1999).
Bakaye is also a Rockefeller Research Fellow; he conducted research on Culture and poverty Eradication in Uganda at the Smithsonian Institution: Centre for Folk Life and cultural Heritage in Washington DC USA. He has also written and published a number of articles on Culture and Development as well as on Harnessing the Economic Potential of Culture and Creative Industries. He has served as technical policy advisor of government of Uganda for the last 29 years.
He also served at the East African Community Secretariat as head of the culture and Sports department for 10 years. He is currently the Assistant Commissioner for Culture in the department of Culture and family affairs in the Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development.
Development Specialist & Deputy Director General, UIA
Dr. Kyalimpa is a distinguished development specialist, public sector manager and administrator; governance, finance and strategy specialist. Paul has over twenty (20) years of Administrative and Managerial experience with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, three of which were with the private sector. Paul has held senior positions in government at the rank of Principal Officer, Director and now Deputy Director General with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and cooperatives; Ministry of Education and Sports under the Uganda Business and Technical Examinations Board; and Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development, under Uganda Investment Authority (UIA), receptively.
Paul has a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Leadership and Financial Sustainability of Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Paul is a graduate of Masters of Finance and Control from India; Postgraduate in Evaluation Research Methodology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa; Diploma in Private Sector Growth of Swedish Institute for Public Administration, Sweden; and Bachelors of Business Administration, of Makerere University, Uganda.
Paul has also worked with international development agencies such as UN, World Bank and African Development Bank for the last fifteen (15) years. Paul has also worked and consulted with global development partners like UKAID, Islamic Development Bank, Plan International, Caritas, Irish Aid, ICCO, USAID and Dan-Church Aid, EDUKAN among others,
Paul is also a Business and Leadership Fellow for U.S Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs; Members of Endowed Chair of Small and Minority Businesses-USA, as well as Honorary Mayor-President of City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. Paul is a member of Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda (ICGU), Uganda Finance Professionals Association, Uganda Evaluation Association and African Evaluation Association.
Executive Director, Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda
Barbara is a lawyer, a human and cultural rights activist. I champion, promote and safeguard Uganda's heritage for it is our unique identity. I hold a Master in Management Science and a Bachelor's degree in Laws. Armed with skills in organisational management, community engagement and social inclusion, human rights protection and heritage safeguarding. Currently serving as Executive Director at the Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda and previously as Regional Coordinator (PRAAC - RESA) at Plan International and Programmes Manager at the Uganda Women's Lawyer's Association.
Author - "The Life & Legacy of Omukama Cwa II Kabalega - 1853 - 1923"
Owek. isaac is Omutalindwa (Speaker) of Orukurato (parliament) of Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom, a professional journalist by training, a writer, communicator and researcher. He holds a Mass Communication Degree (Makerere University, Kampala), a Masters in Media Management (Global Open University, India, 2008) and a Masters in Business Administration (ISBAT University, Kampala, 2019).
Majoring in public relations, Kalembe has hands-on experience in writing, editing, publishing, advertising, social media management administration, broadcasting and publicity. Since 2005, Kalembe has been working with the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) – the regulator of the communications sector in Uganda – in a variety of positions.
This experience, combined with his earlier work in a variety of situations (as a Sub-Editor, Station Manager, and Communications Officer, among others), has given Kalembe a clear and practical understanding of organisational communications needs.
Executive Director of Centre on Economic Social Cultural Rights in Africa (CESCRA)
Agnes Kabajuni is a the Executive Director of Centre on Economic Social Cultural Rights in Africa (CESCRA), a human rights and Gender Expert with vast knowledge and experience in human rights and NGO work.
Agnes Kabajuni has worked both at national and international levels. Experienced working at the Africa (Sub-Sahara) region. Has worked and lived in Accra, Ghana, Nairobi, Kenya, Johannesburg, South Africa and in Uganda. He has coordinated policy advocacy and research work in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, the Gambia and traveled both internationally and regionally.
Agnes Kabajuni has networked with several civil society organisations in Africa engaged with institutions like UN-Habitat, the African Commission and United Nations Human Rights Council.
Agnes is passionate about culture, human rights, democracy, gender equality and social justice.