Browsing by Author "Mutungi, Emmanuel"

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A visual narrative of Batwa indigenous artifacts : an ethnography of material culture
(Machakos University Journal of Science and Technology, 2024-09) Kamugisha, Edward; Kekimuri, Joan; Kioli, Felix Ngunzo; Mutungi, Emmanuel
Material culture may cut across all items owned by people including a big assortment of tangible things like artifacts, cuisine, architecture, music, dance, folklore, religion and rituals. The Batwa lived in forests and largely depended on local technologies and traditional methods of living, and this formed their rich material culture. Citing a case of the Batwa (singular: Mutwa) on Mt Mgahinga in Kisoro, southwestern Uganda, this case study was conducted following four objectives: to identify different Batwa material culture items; analyse how they were produced; examine their functionality; and use them to inspire the execution of painterly visual narratives. The study pursued a qualitative approach, where a case study as the research design and employed ethnography as one of the research methods was used. We set out to study the Batwa living on the foothills of Mt Mgahinga and occupying two “cells” of Rukeri and Nyagakenke villages. Five men and 12 women were selected purposively and participant observation, unstructured interviews and photography were employed to capture the different activities that took place during the expedition. The findings revealed the processes behind the different items of material culture, for example, the making of fire, bows and arrows, spears, skins, bamboo containers, traditional traps and snares, and architectural designs. We also conducted discussions on the uses of each of the items. The study found that most of the Batwa material culture has been lost and most present-day Batwa have inadequate knowledge about their traditional material culture. The findings showed that this is so because the elderly Batwa that orally bear this knowledge have greatly reduced in number. Batwa have certain spiritual and religious ties with forests. It is therefore pertinent that the Government of Uganda looks into the possibility of resettling them outside the forest environment, and also benchmark to see how indigenous ethnic groups in other countries are handled.
Navigating educational disruptions : resilience in Ugandan vocational education during COVID-19
(Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Sciences (JJEOSHS), 2025-01-25) Mutungi, Emmanuel; Bua, Bosco; Kwesiga, Philip
This research article investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on secondary schools in Uganda, focusing on the strategies adopted to cope with disruptions in educational processes. It utilises a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from 16 schools in Uganda's Western, Northern, and Eastern regions, and focusing on vocational subjects. Its findings reveal that schools observed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including social distancing, mask-wearing, and handwashing, despite resource constraints and spatial limitations. Remote learning for candidate classes reduced exposure but highlighted rural disparities due to inadequate internet infrastructure. Despite significant challenges, school administrators exhibited resilience by implementing innovative measures, including staggered attendance and restricted student movement to minimize contact. However, vocational education encountered notable setbacks, such as inadequate practical facilities, especially within private institutions. It highlights the critical need for enhanced government support, particularly for vocational teachers, to sustain education post-pandemic. While Uganda's education sector has shown resilience during the pandemic, sustained investment in infrastructure, teacher support, and vocational education is vital for long-term stability and growth.
The 2005 convention on the protection and promotion of the diversity of cultural expressions
(Palgrave Macmillan, 2025-02-02) Mutungi, Emmanuel
The 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions aims to safeguard cultural diversity, which appears to be increasingly threatened by modernity in a globalized world. While the convention advocates for cultural expression as a means to promote cohesion in production that could lead to sustainable development, there is contestation due to differing perceptions of cultural expression. Nevertheless, art education is believed to be at the center stage to harmonize such contestation in promoting cultural diversity, creativity, and understanding. This entry explores the intersection of art education and contestation within the framework of the 2005 Convention using lessons from Uganda. It situates art education as a means to realizing the convention’s objectives by fostering creativity, preserving heritage, and promoting cultural dialogue. The entry suggests integrating cultural diversity and being inclusive to allow freedom of expression. The entry posits that dialogue and collaboration should be promoted to accommodate both indigenous and new thinking.
Visual storytelling and comic adaptation a review of the Bakiga folktale of Nyabwangu and Nyabucurera
(Jumuga Journal of Education, Oral Studies, and Human Science, 2026-04-16) Aturinda, Joshua; Mutungi, Emmanuel; Kwesiga, Philip
This article explores the comic adaptation of the Kiga folktales (Nyabwangu and Nyabucurera), emphasizing the power of visual storytelling to revive indigenous stories while reiterating moral teachings and cultural values. Stemming from Afrocomic aesthetics, the article synthesizes existing literature on folklore, visual narrative, and resilience, while incorporating elements of visual ethnography and narrative analysis to inform character design, panel composition, and culturally grounded settings. Thus the article seeks to understand how comics serve as a multimodal medium that helps to preserve oral traditions, fosters intergenerational interaction, and improves moral and emotional understanding. Through situating the folktale within both its traditional oral context and contemporary visual culture, the article demonstrates the potential of comics as tools for cultural preservation, education, and creative reinterpretation. In addition to providing a conceptual foundation for upcoming Afro-comic interpretations of indigenous stories, the analysis advances research on African folklore, visual culture, and narrative adaptation.