BUILDING COMMUNITY TOGETHER
It Starts With U
My name is Collin Sekajugo and I’m a Ugandan multidisciplinary artist and an avid traveller.
Wherever the wind has taken me I have met interesting strangers – kind and naive, curious, and oblivious. I met many people of different walks of life who took so much pride in where they were from and what represented their cultures. In essence I have heard so many beautiful stories about different people and places and shared my own.
During one of my recent travels, I met a captivating woman who knew British East Africa (pun-intended) fairly well and her love for Uganda was indisputable. She has frequently flown, over-landed, and sailed across places within the region while interacting with our flora and fauna, and people of various complexions and beliefs.
As an artist with a strong affinity for anthropology, my interactions with this woman reminded me of how much more I want to explore my own culture. So, during one of the many anecdotes we eagerly shared, I interrupted with a burning question. How can we describe Ugandan culture? She paused and thoughtfully returned the question to me...Is Uganda one culture and country, or a collection of cultures?
At this moment, my mind was racing. Is this the future which we entrusted to God on our first Independence day? Are we a jumble of people who share no cultural identity? Can culture be singularly defined despite diversity in heritage and beliefs? Should it be?
Even though these questions were not new, this conversation evoked burning thoughts. Who am I? What do I represent? What is it to be Ugandan?
As a silent patriot I have always held the responsibility of representing my country through art. What is Ugandan art? On several occasions I have been asked by many cultural representatives around the world, but I have never come up with an answer.
I have spent a decent part of my adult life examining what it means to be Ugandan as a person or thing without exclusively considering culture a defining factor but rather using art as an explorative tool to encapsulate national identity. For the last 20 years of art practice and world travel, I developed a passion for patterns as a backdrop for telling my stories. Gradually, symbols took shape.
I have adopted the letter U as a unifying symbol for Ugandans. I therefore used the letter U to explore symbolism to denote our values as a collective group of people. And this is used to create patterns that represent our diverse beliefs and customs.
This project is aimed at elucidating possibilities to encourage Ugandans and others to consider Ugandan culture through art, fashion, architecture, and technology.
My exploration of symbolism touches on major themes I believe it means to be Ugandan, such as Heritage, Motherhood, Freedom, Strength, and Peace. Please join me on this journey to jointly explore Ugandan life through symbolism. It starts with U.
Our Vision
Welcome to ITSUGANDA, where we envision a transformative platform that redefines how Uganda is portrayed both home and abroad. Our mission is to foster a united Ugandan identity, creating a dynamic community rich in support and knowledge sharing. Together, we aim to cultivate local pride and participation in sharing the authentic stories of Uganda through the vibrant lenses of art, design, fashion and architecture. Join us in celebrating and the true essence of our culture!
SYMBOLISM
From intricate art forms to traditional rituals, symbolism plays a crucial role in expressing the identity and values of Ugandan communities. Our role here is to explore the significance of symbolism in the Ugandan context and how it can influence contemporary creative practices. Join us as we delve into the essence of Ugandan culture through symbolism.
PATTERNS AND DESIGN
With Uganda's vibrant social fabric, authentic design might be the missing part. We aim to create an environment where local designers utilize indigenous knowledge and artifactual references to influence modern lifestyles while embracing cultural identity and heritage. Ugandan design should reflect a blend of traditional influences and modern innovation in art, fashion and architecture.
ARTISANAL
We offer guidance and support for selected local productions, including networking opportunities and workshops to ensure the authenticity and quality of items that reflect the uniqueness of our country. Our goal is to empower community artisans and craft-makers and foster the growth and sustainability of craftsmanship.
ART AND CULTURE
As we seek partnerships with local organizations committed transforming the narrative of Ugandan cultural representation, we aim to collaborate with various initiatives to promote policies and practices that support cultural advocacy. Let's work hand in hand to celebrate and amplify the rich cultural heritage of Uganda.