This brief story covers events from November 2014 - ITI World Congress at Yerevan/Armenia – (New Voices, New Audiences: Time of Dialogue) – to the memorable re-launch of Uganda Centre for ITI [UCfITI ] on 15th January, 2015 through February 4th Planning Meeting for International Theatre Day 2015 celebrations. December 2014: Having completed the registration earlier in August; Uganda Centre for I
TI was a beehive of activities preparing for the re-launch of the Centre in Uganda. This included media campaigns, writing of invitation letters to theatre artistes and supporters from allied fields of culture and communication. January 15 2015: Uganda Centre for ITI was re-launched after decades of inactivity. The day brought to light many theatre enthusiasts’ profound expectations such as the need to promote international exchange of performing arts knowledge and practice; stimulate artistic creation and increase co-operation among thespians. The need to streamline the systems that guide the theatre artists in Uganda and to know who is who and their competencies to be able to network and support one another better. Equally the launch exposed the great yearning for professionalism in the performing industry, an aspect many present raised to the UCfITI executive and other national theatre organizations. POST RE-LAUNCH OF UGANDA CENTRE FOR ITI
The Great Expectation: Since the re-launch; the Centre is encouraged by the overwhelming artistic and moral support extended by the Veteran and New Theatre Artists. They have also expressed their expectations that the Centre must be steered by active theatre practitioners capable of translating the needs of the artistes into tangible actions. February 2015: This period at the Centre was marked by marathon planning for combined theatre activity. The Centre choose to sponsor the first-ever week of “Theatre Festivities” leading up to World Theatre Day (March 23th – 27th 2015)
March 23th – 27th 2015: The Centre’s first impressionable outing was made possible by support from Uganda National Cultural Center, National Association of Book Trust - Uganda, Department of Performing Arts & Film - Makerere University, Uganda Performing Groups Association, Young Theatre Practitioners, Uganda New Vision Group, Central Broadcasting Station, EastAfrican Newspaper, Theatre Factory, Foursum Comedy Group, Bakayimbira Dramactors and Ministry of Culture, Gender & Youth.
