Enhancing professional skills among Uganda’s performing artists can propel many Ugandan on the international scene.

From casting agents, performing artists, cinematographers, actors, among others, few Ugandans have made it on the international scene compared to countries like Nigeria.

In order to raise the bar of performing arts in Uganda, award-winning actress Aganza Kisaka has started a training facility known as Yenze Theatre Conservatoire (YTC).

The facility is geared towards training performing artists in acting, movement and voice for the stage and film while providing actor management.

“YTC is a dream that has been bubbling in my heart for more than 10 years and I’m so excited for it to finally get on its feet,” Aganza said.

She believes this will be key in helping artist in Uganda acquire the right skills that will help them earn a living and remain relevant for a long time.

“We seek to create a database of professionally trained performing artists who are well equipped to represent Uganda internationally through performance arts and to generate homegrown productions that are competitive on the international scene,” Aganza said.

She said this on Friday, in Ntinda during a graduation ceremony of six pioneer students who have been undergoing training.

Roy Ronald Tumwizere, Karen Kimuli, Madeleine Tamale-Sali, Ben Ssemambo, Gladys Oyenbot and Laura Kahunde underwent acting voice and movement training for eight weeks.

The training was held in partnership with Sebamala Arts, Destiny Consult and New York University Abu Dhabi from March 22 to May15, 2021.

Aganza’s dream is to see as many Ugandans bursting into the global mainstream.

“We seek to contribute to the upscaling of quality acting in Uganda by providing actors with techniques, language and tools to better their performance,” Aganza said.

She derives her inspiration from the multitude of human experiences available. 

According to Aganza, YTC seeks to create a performance art space and community vibrant in resources and creativity.

“It is not only about acting. We are interested in music studios, film sets, dance studies, theatres, libraries, coffee houses and gardens. We want artists who have freedom to create without restraint or worry hence provide spaces for them to do so,” Aganza said.

With a strong belief in the power for performance to mirror and transform real life through authenticity, Aganza hopes that her work will serve a greater purpose to transform lives for the better by reflecting and revealing or unveiling life truths.

“We are not only interested in the skill but also the individual, how they speak, how they eat, their mental health and everything that contributes to them as artists,” she said.

Speaking as chief guest during the graduation ceremony, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka commended Aganza and her partners for creating space for the artists.

“The creatives have a great capacity to heal us from trauma. They transport us to places where we become one with artist and enable us see things from a different perspective,” Kisaka said.

Sarah Nansubuga an instructor at YTC asked Aganza to follow her dreams and remain focused to achieve bigger.

“Allow your exponentially expounding and expanding imagination lead you to places where Ugandan artistry never thought it could go,” Nansubuga said.

Adding that; “In this genesis portion of your journey, I would like to leave you with three words, Gusto, Gumption, God”

About Aganza

Aganza has deep passion for playwriting, songwriting, poetry, dancing and acting. She is an award-winning actress and poet.

In 2017, she was twice nominated for her roles in ‘Break In’ by Aaron Zziwa and ‘Faithful’ by Richard Nondo for which she eventually won the Best Actress award.

Some of her other works include Her Broken Shadow by DilmanDila, and her supporting role in 27 Guns by Natasha Karugire among others.

Aganza started writing poetry at the age of seven and went on to win the Babishai Niwe Poetry Award Uganda in 2011 for her poem, A Hand Swing of Disguised Depravity (2009).