FOLK CULTURES PROMOTED AS UGANDA JOINS CIOFF OFFICIALLY

By Sylivia Kugonza

www.mknewslink.com

In Fort Portal

Uganda officially becomes member of international council of organizations for folklore festival and folk ARTS (CIOFF).

The International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF) is an international nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Official Partnership with UNESCO and is accredited to provide advisory service to the Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage Uganda inclusive.

This was during the showcasing and filming representative of Uganda’s Folklore heritage and installing Uganda’s CIOFF Associates status towards establishment of CIOFF Uganda at Gardens restaurant Fort Portal municipality Kabarole district.

Steven Rwagweri the executive director Engabu Za Tooro has been installed as the president CIOFF Uganda by the CIOFF president Africa Prince Isaac Yamekue from Cameroon.

Peace Mutuzo the state minister for gender and culture was also selected as the member representing the central government.

Prince Yamekue stated that, the CIOFF was established to promote traditions of different cultures in the whole world thus appealing parents to desist from teaching their children other cultures but promote theirs.

Peace Mutuzo who was the chief guest encouraged cultural leaders and elders in Africa and Uganda at large to register some cultural properties to avoid being stolen by other cultures especially the Western.

She cited at some western cultures that have been stealing some African cultural properties claiming to be theirs like the Batooro have the Empako; it should be registered so that if anyone wants it should pay for it.

Mutuzo disclosed that since Fort portal has become a tourism city, there is going to be a cultural center comprising of training centers, Hotels among others so as to showcase the heritage of 65 tribes in Western region.

However immediately after his installation, Rwagweri disclosed that Uganda has no boundaries to extend its activities in promoting culture all over the world since it has become a fully CIOFF member.

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