Kampala, Uganda – Marking a significant expansion of its cultural advocacy mission, delegates from the USK Foundation (USKF) were received in Kampala by Ms. Naumo Juliana Akoryo, the Commissioner for Culture and Family Affairs at Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD).
The high-level meeting focused on the strategic protection of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the promotion of the creative economy across East Africa. As the local liaison for the United Ancient Nations (UAN), the USK Foundation sought to align its indigenous-centered development models with the Ministry’s existing policies on cultural preservation and family welfare.
Key themes of the engagement included:
- Policy and Heritage: Commissioner Akoryo and the delegates discussed the importance of robust policy frameworks to safeguard the “intangible” assets of indigenous communities—including oral traditions, rituals, and ancestral knowledge—which are central to the UAN mission.
- Supporting the Creative Industry: The dialogue explored how traditional craftsmanship and indigenous arts can be leveraged within the modern creative industry to provide sustainable livelihoods for youth and women, moving beyond charity toward economic self-reliance.
- Restoring the Social Fabric: Highlighting the Commissioner’s focus on Family Affairs, the Foundation presented its vision for “holistic well-being,” emphasizing that stable, culturally-rooted families are the foundation of long-term social harmony and national development.
By engaging with a senior technical expert of Ms. Akoryo’s caliber, the USK Foundation continues to bridge the gap between grassroots ancestral wisdom and formal government policy. This meeting reinforces the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that the “Living Enlightenment” of ancient nations is protected, documented, and utilized as a resource for Africa’s future growth.
