Save Ndere, Save Culture – Everything You Need to Know About Ndere’s Debt, Risk of Foreclosure & Potential Bailout

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“When I was starting, I tried to get people to help me. But one person who was a commissioner for culture told me this; ‘Culture is a public property. No individual has any right, any mandate, or any capacity to hold and promote it alone.’ But if I had taken that advice as an Individual, the Ndere Cultural Centre wouldn’t be here today.” – Dr. Stephen Rwangyezi, Proprietor, Ndere Cultural Centre.

“… I invested myself as an individual and whatever I could mobilize, some people joined me and we still have something to talk about.” – He adds

Want to listen to the whole Conversation? Tap HERE!

Save Ndere, Save Culture – Everything You Need to Know About Ndere’s Debt, Risk of Foreclosure & Potential Bailout

On Friday 20th September 2024, Tebere Arts Foundation, in partnership with Ndere Cultural Centre hosted a ‘Prayer Breakfast and Artistic Conversation’, about the future of Ndere Cultural Centre.

In attendance were creative artists in their various rights, including writers, playwrights, actors, dramatists, journalists, photographers, and well-wishers, among other stakeholders.

First things first; Here’s a few things you need to know…

In a publication by the Nile Post,

‘…the Shs 7 billion loan was approved by Uganda Development Bank Limited in 2019 to among others finance a Shs 1.9 billion existing loan with Bank of Africa within 55 months and Shs 720 billion for completion and operationalization of Obuntu Lodge in Kisoro with a 10-year repayment period and six months of grace.’

In May, this year, having realized that Ndere Troupe had failed to honor their commitments to repay as had been proposed, UDB issued a 21-day sale notice on May 13, 2024.

Consequently, UDB outsourced Quickway Auctioneers that advertised the mortgaged property but also wrote to Ndere Troupe and Steven Rwangyezi over the same.

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In the Prayer Breakfast and Artistic Conversation held on 20th September 2024, Ndere Cultural center in unison with Tebere Arts Foundation among other stakeholders, appealed to UDB and all concerned parties including the State House and cabinet, to save the institution from foreclosure.

Theme Question:

What is the role of Ndere Cultural Centre in the growth and development of Uganda?

The event started with a Breakfast session, during which attendees were served a scrumptious variety of dishes. After breakfast stakeholders and well-wishers proceeded to the auditorium, where a mass was held by Father Lawrence Kyeyune, from St.Andrew Kaggwa Kigowa Catholic Parish. Father Lawrence emphasized the importance of individuals using their gifts or talents, drawing various lessons from the Biblical parable of the Talents as narrated by Jesus, and drew sermons from Matthew 25:14-30, Luke 8:22-25, Isaiah 55:8 and Luke 11:1-4.

Father Lawrence also credited Dr. Stephen Rwangyezi for having committed to a course such as cultural preservation and exportation for the benefit of current and future generations, applauding him for the role he has played in boosting the talents of several youths, since Ndere Cultural Centre’s establishment forty years ago. He nudged attendees and well-wishers to join hands to the course, as Ndere does not serve only Dr. Rwangyezi, but the public at large, that is to say, Ugandans and non-Ugandans…

“The only way we can sustain our heritage, is when we have resources to spend on that heritage. Otherwise, the government would have to do it.” – Dr. Stephen Rwangyezi

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After the mass, the MC Pablo (Kenneth Kimuli) shared remarks, introducing panelists including Mr. Fred Mwebya who was the moderator, and led the session with utmost passion,

Ambassador Angelina Kyogo-Wakapabulo, Dr.Charles Mulekwa a dramatist and lecturer at Makerere University, and Ms. Tayo Shonubi – a writer, filmmaker and performing artist.

Among many unquoted others, some of the Questions asked by the Moderator and MC included;

What’s the role of culture and heritage in shaping the generation we have today and its future?
Do you think the people in our society care about this culture?
When Foundations of culture are being destroyed;what do artists stay with? – Pablo

In response to the questions, the panelists each invested themselves, by sharing intimate details of their foundation, artistic journey, the role of the performing arts in the individual journeys and, and why establishments or institutions such as Ndere Cultural Centre should not be done away with. Tap link HERE to listen to the whole conversation.