By Spy Uganda
Stephen Rwagweri Atwooki, a distinguished cultural advocate, social innovator, and Executive Director of Engabu Za Tooro, will today stand among four carefully selected panelists to shape Uganda’s cultural policy conversation at the 14th National Development Policy Forum (NDPF), hosted at Serena Hotel in Kampala from 2-5pm.
Themed “The Creative Industry as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” the high-level forum is organized by the National Planning Authority (NPA) in partnership with GIZ Uganda.
The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister of Uganda Hon. Robina Nabbanja is expected to officiate the event as Guest of Honour. The event will be attended by cabinet ministers, selected parliamentary committee members and other key stakeholders in the industry.
Discussions will revolve around strengthening coordination and advocacy among stakeholders in the creative industry—a key area in Uganda’s Vision 2040 and Fourth National Development Plan.
Mr. Rwagweri’s journey from the hills of Tooro to global platforms is nothing short of remarkable. He is the founder of Engabu Za Tooro (Tooro Youth Platform for Action), a UNESCO-accredited NGO that has led groundbreaking efforts to preserve intangible cultural heritage in Uganda. Under his leadership, the Empaako naming system and Koogere oral tradition of Bunyoro-Kitara were inscribed by UNESCO, marking a significant cultural milestone.
He also heads African Continental Crafts Ltd, a social enterprise aimed at integrating traditional artisans into Africa’s wider creative economy. His Traditional Artisan Inclusion model is a new concept that merges heritage with enterprise, creating sustainable livelihoods while preserving endangered cultural expressions.
Internationally, Rwagweri is a widely respected figure. He is part of UNESCO’s global network of culture facilitators and has served as an expert consultant in numerous member states. His voice has resonated on stages like SOCAP24 (USA), Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, and the 2024 Masters of Scale Summit (USA). He also represents Uganda on the International Council of Organizations for Folklore, Folk Art and Festivals (CIOFF) and the International Federation of Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (IFCCD).
A prolific writer, he has authored two major works: “Tooro and Her Peoples: Past, Present and Future” and “Ceremonies and Practices Associated with the Empaako Naming System in Uganda.” He holds a BA in Social Work and Social Administration (SWSA) from Makerere University.
In 2022, UNESCO adopted Rwagweri into its elite pool of intangible cultural heritage experts, further cementing his influence on international cultural policy.
As Uganda moves to harness the creative industry’s potential to drive economic growth and youth employment, voices like Stephen Rwagweri’s—rooted in tradition but forward-thinking—are essential to bridging heritage and innovation for inclusive development.
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