Start › Mountain Gorillas & More › The Culture of Uganda: Tradition and Modernity › The Fine Arts in Uganda
The early artists of Uganda were shaped by the influences of the colonial era. Paintings and sculptures were often imitated. An extraordinary artistic movement developed out of the presentation of the numerous aphorisms of Baganda culture (bikokyo ), which since the middle of the 1920s of the last century were embellished with pictures and illustrations. There are exhibitions and markets almost everywhere that invite you to get closer to the arts and artists of Uganda.
School of Fine Arts, Makerere University
At the “Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts” of Makerere University some of the best-known artists of Uganda were trained. Only a few minutes from the centre of Kampala, a walk to the campus is worthwhile, because a permanent exhibition shows some of the best work by the students. Statues and sculptures in wood, clay and metal as well as paintings are part of the repertoire. The faculty is one of the oldest at Makerere University and goes back to Margaret Trowell (1904–1985) – the wife of a colonial doctor, who founded the art school in 1937.
Further link
- To the website of the School of Fine Arts
Nommo Gallery
The Nommo Gallery is a well-known meeting point for artists, connoisseurs and art lovers in Uganda. Constantly changing exhibitions invite you to visit Nakasero Hill (Victoria Avenue).
Contact: Nommo Gallery, Plot 4 Victoria Avenue, Nakasero, Kampala – the gallery remains active as the national gallery with exhibitions (as of 2025).
Further links
- Pictures in the Nommo Gallery
- You can find further galleries in Kampala on the website of “www.enteruganda.com” under the heading “Galleries”
Sheraton Hotel
The Sheraton Hotel in Kampala enables Ugandan artists to exhibit their pieces in the spacious rooms. In the finest ambience you can let the art work on you here. Paintings, batik and sculptures can be seen and can also be bought.
Further links
- Website of the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala
National Theatre and the adjoining art market
In addition to the dance, theatre and music performances at the weekends, you can view some exhibits by Ugandan artists in the foyer of the National Theatre. Immediately adjoining the theatre you will find a small but fine artists’ market, laid out in the form of a typical African round village. There you will find an overwhelming variety of art objects and handicrafts. The open, friendly and by no means pushy artists and traders will gladly and competently advise you. Here you do not just come close to African art, here you are right in the middle of it!
Further links
- Background information on the National Theatre (English)
Private galleries & traders
Besides the public exhibitions, a whole series of private galleries can also be found. One of them is the “Nnyanzi Art Studio” of the artist Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi in Kampala. During the civil war years he was active in exile in Kenya for a long time. After his return he now runs his own studio with a shop at the National Theatre alongside his artistic work. His batik drawings with traditional themes from Uganda are world-famous.
Contact:
Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi, 30 NATIONAL ARTS & CRAFTS VILLAGE(Next to The National Theatre), Plot No. 4/6 Dewinton Road, P.O.Box 10580, Kampala/Uganda, Email: nnyanziart@gmail.com, Web: www.nnyanziart.com
Further links
- Website of Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi
- You can find further traders of African art in the listing on the website “AboutUganda”. For example the Banana Boat Gift Shop (23, Cooper Road, Kisementi-Kamyokya), which like the others offers a varied range of African handicrafts and is run by a German couple.
National Museum
The National Museum in Kampala houses a comprehensive collection of exhibits reflecting the ethnic-historical and cultural origins of Uganda. Countless exhibits of traditional culture, from archaeology, history and science are presented. The Uganda Museum on Kira Road (Plot 5, Kitante) is the oldest museum in East Africa; since 2024 it has been extensively renovated – the reopening was announced for 2025.
Further links
“Crafts Village” and the many street markets
Opposite the National Theatre, the Crafts Village in the middle of the centre offers numerous art objects of all kinds. Here you can not only buy great objects, but also get into conversation directly with the artists.
When you leave Kampala, further numerous craftspeople and also artists with their works will catch your eye along the roads. A stop is definitely worthwhile.