In hard times, bits of culture can crumble as the country enters survival mode. The art scene of Uganda is one that has not backed down in hardships but rather prevailed through the years and come out stronger for it.

Margaret Trowell Fine Art School is credited as being the start of Kampala's degree level program for art. Many of the school's early artists had pieces displayed in highly regarded galleries in England and many even went on to teach the next generation students. In the early 1960's, the East African Community was formed when Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania gained independence. Because Uganda was known to have a fine arts school, the country was able to provide quality schooling for artists from all over East Africa.

However when Idi Amin was brought to power in 1971, the art culture was diminished to near death. Many artists were banished and the school took a great loss of quality teachers. This remained for the 14 years of civil war. Despite the setback of the war, the school kept their doors open and the gaps were eventually filled with new creative young artists. This allowed for a fresh new approach to teaching art. When all could have been disastrous, having Hope led to not only keeping the school alive, but also allowing it to blossom into something even more beautiful. The above piece is by Uganda's Godfrey Bonadda. He is a famous painter and art teacher in Kampala, Uganda. He has won many awards for his works.

May Hope's torch continue to glow through even the hardest of times.