On April 5, artistes Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool, Hannington Bugingo, Lillian Mbabazi, Phina Mugerwa were sworn in as new Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC) board of trustees members.

The ceremony, held at Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development headquarters in Kampala, was officiated by the line minister Betty Among and Peter Ojede, the UNCC executive director. 

Others sworn in were Dr. Richard Komakech and Prof. Dokotum Ojaka Opio.

Ojaka was sworn in as the board chairperson, while Phina was sworn in as the vice-chairperson. The rest were sworn in as members of the board, except Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleone, who was not present at the ceremony. 

The board was appointed on a three-year tenure, which kicked off immediately. 

Unlike the previous boards of trustees of art's apex body in the land, the new board has vast representation from the artistes themselves, something that is believed to be a step in the right direction for the sector, especially since artistes are presumed to know their sector better than anyone else. 

"The revolution of getting art as an industry/sector onto the national planning strategy of the national plan and budget has commenced. Let us all keep pushing our art, culture to great heights because no society moves forward without harnessing their identity and civilisation through culture and art," said Bugingo after swearing in.

In attendance, also, were artiste leaders Eddy Kenzo and Cindy Sanyu, presidents of Uganda National Musicians Federation and Uganda Musicians Association respectively. The two were pictured sharing a light moment after the ceremony, something that spoke less of the rumoured rift between them, recently.