KAMUGISHA EDWARD SSAJJABBI

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KAMUGISHA EDWARD SSAJJABBI, and a MUKIIGA by tribe. Born on March 20,1964, in MAZIBA county, in KABALE district South Western UGANDA. We were born 3 children of one mother who Died in 1969. I was the first born followed by 2 girls. I grew up in Maziba, and went to school at KAMURONKO PRIMARY SCHOOL in 1971. By this time in primary , I enjoyed Potato designs using powder paints and this was the time when the government used to supply materials to schools where I was inspired.

From here I started playing about with drawings and all through my classes. I was being told that I am an artist, but I didn't know what people would mean because for me I was just enjoying pictures.From primary one, up to primary seven, I had not learned art, but I was doing it on my own. I started painting at the age of 12 when I would get mad and crash batteries to get black and using madstones for white. All this was trial and error because I didn't know what to do, but I was successful with my pictures.

Whenever we would be having the school debate, I was the person to decorate the blackboard and I would really enjoy it.There was no teacher to teach me fine art however, I continued on my own to learn.

In 1982, I joined secondary school where I knew those were gets to success in doing my art, but here we would get a teacher who could teach at a pace of 2 times in 3 months from S.1 up to S.2, then later the art teacher disappeared completely and I continued art on my own up to S.4.To make it worse here in S.4 I sat for the exams and the art results never turned up this was 1986.

Here in Uganda because of lacking school fees, I left schooling for 2 years then later I joined S.5 in 1988 up to S.6 in 1990 when I sat for A level exams.Here I was studying and working for money at the same time I even sat for my final without paying school fees then I paid later when the results came.I completed A level without studying fine art because everyone was despising it, and I was doing it on my own indeed I was successful because people used to admire my art work and I was also encouraged.

After A level, I never continued my education. I was forced to skip 3 more years while practicing art and getting money.The reason of having no school fees is that my father had migrated to another part of the country and I didn't want though I was still young I never liked the idea.

After accumulating some money in 3 years I joined a tertially institution to become a fine art teacher. In 1993 where I expected to get good teacher for fine art, but I was embarrassed when the lecturers could come to lecture rooms to mark the but not lecturing, and this is what it is in most institutions in Uganda.

Students would come to me for ideas. I discovered I was good because every student was interested in my work, and at the end of everything I came out the best student in Fine Art minus Professional studies, and finished my course with a second class lower just because I never studied art through out. Here I acquired a Diploma In Education Fine Art Double Main.

I completed my course in 1995, and because I was alone in town, I was forced to marry through the church.Yes I am married to Peninnah my second part, with three children namely, Katusiime Purity, Twesigye Tony, and Twesigye Henrick.

I started teaching in 1994 when I was still studying at a school called KIGEZI HIGH SCHOOL up to 1995 when I was completing my Studies. In 1996 I was teaching in two schools, KIGEZI COLLEGE BUTOBERE, and ST. MARRYS COLLEGE RUSHOROZA.

In 1997 I was the lucky one among the few when I met Rev. Canon Harry Lee Hoffman, who visited my art craft shop which I had stated. When he looked at my very poor paper art work, he decided to give me materials.

In 1998 I produced art work and tried my first solo exhibit in my home area > > at LITTLE RITZ HOTEL KABALE where I sold 4 paintings out 10 paintings.

On December 7, 2002, I had my first National exhibition in the capital city KAMPALA, UGANDA, which was successful.Apparently I am a full-time painter being helped by another mentor, and a sponsor at the same time MR. and MRS. HOWARD BULLARD who have also improved my life both materially and Financially.

May God bless them and Harry Hoffman. I am a person who likes nature and most of my compositions are from nature.I like painting both realistic and abstract, and sometimes I go Cubism. Some times I am inspired by a woman and her activities, and this is why many of my artworks involve women.

KAMUGISHA EDWARD SSAJJABBI

Uganda, East Africa

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