The Cross Cultural Foundation of Uganda, CCFU, has marked 20 years with a celebration that reflected on a journey from a single-room office to a nationally and internationally recognized institution.
Speaking at the anniversary event organised in Kampala, the Executive Director Barbra Babweteera said that the gathering was “not just to celebrate CCFU as an institution, but to celebrate a journey, a vision, and a shared commitment to the soul of the nation.
The theme for the 20-year celebration, Two decades of safeguarding Uganda’s heritage, sustaining our past, cultivating the future, captured the organization’s work.
“We stand together with hearts full of gratitude, pride, and hope to celebrate today; and I wish to say, fear not to dream,” Babweteera said.
Babweteera revealed that CCFU began 20 years ago as a dream born from the vision of Ms. Emily Drani and Mr. John De Coninick.
“What is today known as the Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda began as a dream, born from the vision and determination of Ms. Emily Drany and John De Coninck From a modest single room office at the Uganda National Cultural Center, with only two members of staff, few could have imagined the remarkable institution that CCFU would become. Yet today, here we are,” Babweteera noted.
Babweteera described the growth as deliberate and strategic. “What started as a small mustard seed, if I may borrow that one, a brilliant idea, it has grown into a nationally respected and internationally recognized organization with a fully-fledged office and two heritage sites that we are directly running.”
Running heritage sites and supporting communities
The two heritage sites under CCFU’s direct management are the first-ever Uganda Railway Museum, established with the support of the European Union and SOGEA, and the Semei Kakungulu Museum in Mbale.
Over the last two decades, CCFU has worked to safeguard Uganda’s diverse cultural heritage “not as something frozen in the past, but as a living force that shapes our identity, dignity, and development.”
Key achievements highlighted include:
Promoting heritage education in schools and universities, Supporting community museums as centers of learning, dialogue, and memory, advocating for the protection of historical buildings, cultural sites, and monuments.
In environment and culture: CCFU demonstrated that “heritage and nature are deeply intertwined, contributing to environmental conservation and protection of endangered species such as the chimpanzee.
CCFU has also Championed and amplified the voices and rights of indigenous ethnic minorities in the Rwenzori, Karamoja, and West Nile region, ensuring every Ugandan has the right to express, enjoy, and promote their culture with pride and dignity.
CCFU has also helped Illuminating the link between culture and the rights of women and girls, addressing gender-based violence, and promoting cultural entrepreneurship for livelihoods and community empowerment.
At the global level, CCFU has participated in COP 30, and Babweteera noted that “last year for the first time there are milestones that were adopted.”
Babweteera thanked partners including: Bread of Life International, UN Women, the EU, UNESCO, the Uganda National NGO Forum, and communities and cultural enterprises across Uganda.
