By Aretha Frison

Many Kampalans were able to get a glimpse of the imagination, the wonder and in-depth creativity that lives in the mind of Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine last Saturday, at The Creations Gallery Café and Cultural Centre in the Industrial Area.

“What you see here is just the foundation... ground breaking work,” said Tumwine.

His work is a mixture of 20th century abstract works and traditional African antiques and artifacts, was created out of an array of materials, fabrics, colours and woodwork that is totally Ugandan. The exhibition, titled “Exhibition 365,” included a 365-combination of shoes, clothing, art, and portraits that symbolise each day of the year. The showcase made the newly-opened centre a total “Tumwine Experience.”

The day commemorated the opening of the café and cultural centre, which is the first of its kind in Kampala, to house an internet café, a coffee shop, a restaurant, a permanent art gallery for his work and that of other artists, a photo studio, a textile shop and craft boutique. It was also opened to commemorate the day when Tumwine lost his eye in battle 22 years ago.

“I should have died, but since then, I have valued each day of my life. I committed myself, for better or for worse, to have this exhibition. And finally, I have got what I prayed for,” Tumwine said.

Over 50 invited guests, dignitaries and friends gathered to celebrate and praise Tumwine's latest contribution to Uganda's rich culture.

“This was a great idea,” the South African High Commissioner to Kampala, Bavumile Vilakazi, told the audience, who also served as the event's guest of honour. “Surely, this was a unique experience for him to create,” he said.

After Vilakazi's speech, Tumwine presented the high commissioner with one of his ‘365’ creative shirts. Then, as the centre's resident band, Nkwanzi Performers, played music and danced, Tumwine, Vilakazi and other distinguished guests led the crowd in a ‘limbo’ line to the entrance of the centre for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I will pass away,” Tumwine said. “But my art will never die. What you see here is not my treasure, but yours, the world's and Africa's treasure.”