It is not by mistake that Uganda was dubbed “Pearl of Africa” by the former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. It is characterised by a number of features ranging from - Rolling and interlocking hills, meandering rivers and Great lakes, Tropical and impenetrable forests as well as Savannah. Great weather and wonderful climate, remote and tranquil areas inhibited by rich array of wildlife, friendly people and vibrant activities at both local and international levels but most of all full of hope. This naturally provides conducive, ideological, physical and spiritual environment that not only initiates creativity but sustains it.

Uganda’s central location in the region makes it a kind of gate-way as well as melting-pot in regard to Art traditions in the region. This in itself is a unique resource to the insightful, in a sense that the residency will attempt to reach out and embrace to artists/art in their proper characteristics and in a manner that will not violate their inherent dignity.

- In the East is Congo, and Congolese art is known for its power and astonishment
- In the North is Sudan, with Nubia art known as the oldest problem civilisation!
- In the East is Kenya, where economic disparity and tourism has evolved art in form of Akamba art to add another dimension to the world scene of art.
- In south is Tanzania, and its Makonde art re-known for authentically in recent history.

On its own Uganda is a multi-cultural, multi-tribal nation and its art tradition is a melange that best manifests itself as contemporary Uganda art. It would actually be difficult and problematic to define, may be its easier to describe the artists themselves and their works respectively after all practice can’t be reduced to theory entirely. These are artists who have developed several philosophies as well as applied various esthetical standards but with a kind of evolution that retains the cultural referential value expected of a modern of a artist but without missing the academic element in the equation. It makes one rethink things that seem to be hopelessly ingrained in our lives.

The residency in this case acts as a forum to transcribe or translate the traditional properties/ideas into a cosmopolitan language.

So this interaction amongst the artists with the region coupled with the interaction from other experiences of totally different cultural heritage and backgrounds such as that of the western world would be very interesting and difficult to define but can only be described by comparing it to an electronic computer chip network with multiplicity effects attainable at different levels and forms depending of the different perceptions/interpretations.

Incidentally the issue of setting up a residency is a result of an infectious encounter between African and European artists in a workshop (Cape Town) South Africa, but time and nature of workshop was a self-limiting factor. Artists got ended as soon as they had began and to some they got ended before even they had started, thus making the residency a legitimate avenue to pursue the intentions.

A brief intentions and projections

· We intend to acquire a building by rent or purchase. In long term there is also hope to construct a branch in the village (area already identified with features like tropical natural forest, few kilometres from river Nile, specious with valleys and hills).

· Residency intends to own a collection of regional art and probably from visiting artists.

· It will organise short trips for the resident artists to art centres in the region such as Akamba art centre (Mombasa, Kenya) – Makonde art centre (Tanzania).

· Organise invitations for regional artists and foreign artists interaction but acting from a vantage point that its in affiliated to Uganda Arts Association whose members are readily available.

· It will hold exhibitions, provide art materials and a web site access, etc.

· It will run an office and organise its work on daily basis.

· Already on the ground, it has a strong and experienced manpower steered by Kasumba Stephen a first prize-winner East, Central and Southern Africa professional painting competition, 1993. Among others he has exhibited and participated in workshops in France, Germany, South Africa, Nairobi Kenya and probably in United States this year 2002.