UGANDA NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE TRAVEL GUIDE, UGANDA

LOCATION OF THE UGANDA NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE, UGANDA

The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) is located at the corner of Said Barre Avenue and De Winton Street in the Central Division of Kampala, Uganda. This central location makes it easily accessible for visitors looking to explore Uganda’s rich cultural heritage.

SOME HISTORY OF THE UGANDA NATIONAL CULTURAL CENTRE, UGANDA

The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) has a rich history that dates back to its establishment on October 8, 1959, by the Uganda National Cultural Centre Act, a 1959 Act of Parliament (amended in 1965). The Centre was officially inaugurated on December 2, 1959.

The UNCC was created as a semi-autonomous body under the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development. Its primary mandate includes encouraging and developing cultural and artistic activities, providing and establishing theatres and cultural centers, and offering accommodation for societies, institutions, or organizations of cultural, artistic, academic, philanthropic, or educational nature.

The Centre is home to two main components: the National Theatre and the Nommo Gallery. The National Theatre serves as a venue for various stage performances, including drama, music, and dance, and also functions as a cinema. The Nommo Gallery, on the other hand, features exhibitions of works of art by both Ugandan and foreign artists.

The National Theatre building is in a shape of a piano and was designed by Peatfield andBadgener Architects, it was the first modern theatre in Uganda in keeping with the principles of tropical modernism, and the building is naturally ventilated. The building's exterior is clad in concrete rings, these rings help to keep out the harsh sun and the beat but still allow a breeze to flow through the building. This helps to keep the building and performers cool during the shows and allow diffuse light into the building. The 377-seat theatre was designed to cater to the needs of the small expatriate community resident in Kampala at the time, and later was opened to the general public.

Over the years, the UNCC has played a pivotal role in nurturing and promoting the arts and culture in Uganda. It has provided a platform for numerous cultural practitioners and artists through various programs and policies in the performing, literary, and visual arts. The Centre continues to be an iconic institution in Uganda, fostering cultural exchange and artistic expression.