Monthly Archives: December 2025

Guardians of the Harvest: Katanga’s Papyrus Granary Baskets

Guardians of the Harvest: Katanga’s Papyrus Granary Baskets

In the fertile village of Kyarwagonya in Fort Portal, farmer William Katanga has become something of a local legend. His towering papyrus reed baskets, their lower halves smeared with cow dung, stand proudly in his granary, cradling beans, millet, cassava, and other staples. To the untrained eye, they may appear rustic, even curious. But to Katanga, they are lifelines,  guardians against insects, mold, rats, and the slow decay that robs many farmers of their hard-earned produce. The story begins in the wetlands, where papyrus reeds grow tall and thick. Katanga harvests them with care, drying them under the sun until they become pliable. Then, with practiced hands and a heart […]

Family and Community Traditions Under Threat: How External Cultures Are Redefining Childhood in Uganda

Family and Community Traditions Under Threat: How External Cultures Are Redefining Childhood in Uganda

In many Ugandan households, evenings once carried a familiar rhythm. Families gathered around the hearth, children sat cross-legged on mats, and elders told stories of Kintu, Nambi, how clans came into existent and the heroic deeds of clan ancestors. These sessions were not mere entertainment; they were classrooms of culture, instilling values of respect, unity, and identity. Today, however, the glow of the fire has been replaced by the blue light of television screens and smartphones. Children are more likely to be absorbed in cartoons from abroad or scrolling through TikTok than listening to their grandmother’s folktales. The penetration of external cultures has gradually reshaped childhood in Uganda. Clan gatherings, […]