Last month, The Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) got new members on its board of trustees. The new members who are waiting to swear in on Friday (tomorrow) include, actor and managing director at Fun Factory Hannington Bugingo plus musicians Bebe Cool, Jose Chameleon, Lillian Mbabazi and Phina Mugerwa.
Whereas their appointment has many creatives excited, many challenges await them. Some they fore see in the institution (UNCC) while others in the infrastructure (theatre). Some of the observable challenges include the out-dated auditorium with out dated technology, filthy toilets, potholed parking, leaking roofs especially on the second floor of the theatre building where Uganda Musician Association (UMA) offices sit and old dance studio.
The institution lacks the capacity to carry out its major mandate of artistic development. The absence of stakeholders’ offices is enough evidence that the institution is not in capacity to develop the arts across the whole nine yards i.e. Music, film, theatre, visual arts among others.
It is also alleged that there are loopholes in Human Resource management at the UNCC hence shortage of employees. Word circulating is that almost all the UNCC’s employees’ contracts are running out. And, that the biggest percentage of workers at the institution is not fit for the jobs.
This was however trashed by the Executive Director of UNCC, Mr Francis Peter Ojede. He emphasised that the rumour should not be taken seriously because UNCC has never had any issue with their staff.
“Even when we didn’t have a board, we still managed. We went to the ministry and the minister gave us support so there is no single time that we have had that situation,” he said
Ojede added that just like any other institution, UNCC contracts end and also get renewed. “Just like any other organisation, contracts end and they don’t end at the same time. Different contracts end, they come in, end, they go, so that is what happens. Most of the contracts depend on performance, on age, health grounds and so many other reasons. It actually happens in the employment world,” he said.
Asked to highlight the challenges and opportunities awaiting the new board of trustees’ members, the Executive Director remained tight-lipped. He however expressed willingness to share information on Friday after the swearing in ceremony.
Speaking to this website, Phina Mugerwa, one of appointed board members, explained some of the challenges she foresees in the institution and also assured that together with her colleagues, they are going to focus on turning all their complaints into praise.
“First of all, it’s a great opportunity for us to be there but also a big challenge. The good thing is that we understand this sector. Some of the things we want to work on as a board are to organise the UNCC organisational structure through the Human Resource.
According to Phina, UNCC’s structure is not helpful to the sector. She says there is no office on the entire building that is entirely responsible for the artists.
“The HR is a very important point that needs to be tackled in case we need anything to move. The right individuals should be assigned to the right offices,” she said
The UMA General Secretary pinpointed the tendency of working with individuals as one of the weaknesses of the UNCC.
“UNCC has focused more on individuals yet it’s a National troupe that always has to represent us. We need to organise because we have many talented people and students who can represent the country in a National troupe,” she explained
She also emphasises the need to change the atmosphere of the UNCC through renovations.
“Many places need to be renovated. You don’t know how great National theatre will look when the right people (stakeholders) occupy these officers,” she said
Adding, “We need to know the tenants list. We have been complaining that UNCC is our home but we always see brockers and lawyers occupying most of the offices. As a family, UNCC should be our home.
We have a need to understand who exactly owns the audio-studio at the theatre. Is it for the sector or it’s owned by an individual,” she said
With all that put into action, Phina says they will need to mobilise resources and lobby for the sector.
This will be possible with the presence of a passionate, vibrant and innovative Human Resource because there are so many opportunities in the embassies and cultural attachees that can help build the capacity of the theatre and the institution at large.
Most cultural institutions have partnership managers, directors or officers whose core job description is to look for opportunities, cease them and exploit them for the benefit of the institution.
“We cannot always depend on government because this is a structure that can be supported by different entities,” she said
Adding to Phina Mugerwa’s Voice, Edson Kirabira, the Civil partnership co-ordinator for Operation Wealth Creation in greater Kampala emphasised the need to renovate the UNCC building.
He advised the new board of trustees to pay attention to the stakeholders’ needs like the un -ending issues with the UPRS. He also urged that they put into consideration the idea of holding artists’ vigils at the theatre, not only masses.
“Money collected from all the tenants at the UNCC need to be accounted for proper running of the institution.” he said
This reporter tried to contact Hannington Bugingo, another member waiting to swear in but the efforts were futile.
Robert Musiitwa, the Public Relations Officer at the UNCC also promised to share his opinion on this story on Friday after the swearing in ceremony.
