#FacesUp

Supporting young people to LEARN artistic skills, HEAL from trauma, EARN through their creativity, and THRIVE at school & in life. To Shop & Support👇🏿

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Part 3/3 | Mulukusa’s Story

From experimenting with ideas to creating thought-provoking installations, Mulukusa continues to shape his voice as a contemporary artist.

His dream is to push beyond boundaries, expand the reach of his work, and create art that sparks conversations across communities and cultures. Through dedication, curiosity, and a growing practice, he is steadily building a future defined by creativity and impact.

Listen as he shares his aspirations, the future he envisions, and the heights he hopes his art will reach.

#FacesUp #ContemporaryArt #YoungArtists #ArtForChange

[Ntensibe Edgar @ntemid]

A little over 6 weeks ago, we put in action an idea we @facesupuganda have had, for some good time.

We visited a number of schools to kickstart something we named "Faces Up Art Clubs" (I'll explain more about them soon).

[Ntensibe Edgar @ntemid]

So yesterday, we spent our afternoon in Masanafu, in some of the same schools we visited and carried those badges of the leaders in our instituted clubs.

I'll update you more, as soonest as possible.

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Part 2/3: Inside the Work.

Every artwork begins with a thought, a question.

In this video, Mulukusa takes us through the ideas, stories, and reflections behind his installation pieces, revealing how contemporary art can help us see familiar realities from a different perspective.

As his practice continues to evolve, so does his ability to translate observations, emotions, and social commentary into powerful visual experiences.

Watch, reflect, and let us know: which installation speaks to you most and why?

#FacesUp #ArtForChange #ContemporaryArt #YoungArtists #CreativeVoices

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Part 1/3 | Mulukusa’s Contemporary Art Journey.

One thing we love seeing is young people beginning to define their own artistic practice, exploring art as a tool to voice out what is most times left unsaid.

Since 2019, Mulukusa’s passion for #contemporaryart has continued to grow.

Today, he is challenging himself to think bigger, experiment more, and explore what it means to create work that speaks to community, identity, and lived experiences.

His practice continues to be fueled by the work of @ibrahim_mahama particularly the way art can draw communities into conversation, transform materials into stories, and challenge how we see the world around us.

Over this series, we’ll be sharing some of his recent installations, experiments, and creative process.
Stay with us as we take you inside his practice.

#FacesUp #CommunityArt

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

❤️👏👏

#facesup

[Jacqueline Asiimwe @asiimwe4justice]

Three in One

If you were a girl with a friend at Namilyango College in the mid-2000s and received a hand-drawn card, chances are it was the work of my guest today.

Art came into Kamanyire’s life early. His older brother recognized his talent and became one of his first champions, gently and persistently encouraging him to develop his craft.

But Kamanyire is one of those people who seems capable of many lives.

As a young altar server, his dedication caught the attention of a Catholic priest who encouraged him to consider ordained ministry.

He also loved animals and, for a time, dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. He and a friend took the dream so seriously that they would dissect animals together and proudly call each other “Doctor.”

And then there was teaching.

His face lights up when he speaks about learning. He loves guiding others, sharing knowledge, and witnessing that beautiful moment when understanding dawns and something suddenly clicks into place.

Alongside all this, he continued to nurture his artistic gifts as an illustrator, photographer, and graphic designer, generously sharing those talents wherever life took him.

Today, he serves as Co-Director of @FacesUpUganda, helping to build an organization that is steadily becoming a household name in Uganda. Through art, Faces Up helps children discover possibility, confidence, and hope: one child, one artwork, one story at a time.

As we walked, I found myself wondering whether Kamanyire’s different dreams were ever really separate.

Perhaps he did become all three.

Like a priest, he nurtures hearts. Like a doctor, he helps heal wounds that cannot always be seen. Like a teacher, he guides young minds as they discover themselves and their place in the world.

Not every calling is left behind. Sometimes life weaves them together and gives them a different shape.

Kudos, Dr. Father. Teacher Kamanyire.

#WalkTalkConnect #ArtForChange #LeadingWithHeart

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Schools are back open.

And while they were closed, young artists at Faces Up Uganda kept working.

Here’s what some of them created.

Slide 1: A Sip of Life, a painting by Mulukusa

Mulukusa captures the simplest moments children experience in his community. He believes that, as an artist, highlighting certain moments can elevate the imagery of underserved communities.

To him, despite many challenges, children embrace and celebrate simple moments that mean a lot to them—moments they actually live and rarely see celebrated.

He captures them first. Then he paints them.

How often do simple things make you grateful?

Slide 2: The Mother and a Child, a painting by Najjuma

Her mother has been her caregiver, her hero, her everything.

This painting celebrates that bond. As someone who has seen her do everything for her and her siblings, she isn't blind to those sacrifices. As an artist, she captures her appreciation.

It’s one of several works she’s made about motherhood and care, because for Najjuma, it’s a subject worth revisiting.

Does her work connect with your story? Maybe this belongs in your space.

If you’re looking to bring original artwork into your home or office, these pieces do more than just decorate a wall.

Every purchase directly funds a child’s education.

70% goes to school fees. 30% is reinvested into our programs.

The first one costs $80, and the second $100. International shipping is also available; we’ll just add the shipping costs, and you get to support and invest in the future of children.

Link in bio to inquire or send a DM.

#FacesUp #ArtThatFundsEducation #paintingbychildren

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

"Visiting @redclayok in Tamale, Ghana, home to one of Africa’s leading experimental and conceptual artists, @ibrahim_mahama , has been one of the most inspiring highlights of my trip to Ghana.

Seeing the vision, scale, and creativity in person is an experience unlike any other.

His mega, bold, and thought-provoking works demonstrate how artistic practice can be a tool for change, deconstruction, reconstruction, memory-making, and archiving.
Through his work, he sparks important local and global conversations about history, identity, systems, and the role of art in shaping society.

Many of the children and young people at @facesupuganda list Ibrahim Mahama among the artists who inspire them most. Some have even begun exploring contemporary art because of the possibilities they see through his work.

I count myself fortunate to spend time in spaces like these, spaces that continually challenge and expand our understanding of what art is and what it can become.

I look forward to seeing how the ideas, inspiration, and questions from this visit find their way into our own work with young people, creativity, healing, and community plus the community art center we are soon constructing". - @kalulemma

#notesofkalule #facesup

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

More posters:

#FacesUp #NewMonthDonation #BuildingSpaces

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

A new month opens a window to build what does not yet exist.

We are shaping a new Community Art Centre, a dedicated home where creativity becomes healing, learning becomes possibility, and over 200 children and young people can grow, create, and thrive with dignity and support.

This is a moment to invest early in something that will outlive us.

You can support this work in different ways:

* Tax-deductible giving (for supporters in the United States: https://t.co/ZJkSJ1QFTV
* Mobile money via MTN(0393240768), Airtel Money (0705859110), or M-Pesa (0757882819)
* PayPal contributions : https://t.co/HzpEwcZWcA
* Workplace giving through Benevity Causes Portal, including matching gift opportunities where available. Just search for Faces Up Uganda

Every contribution directly strengthens access to quality arts education and psychosocial for children.

If you’re not giving today, you can still move the work forward by sharing this with someone who values creativity, education, and youth wellbeing.

To contribute, use the links listed above.

You can also give by check, just send us a message and we will provide the needed details.

Thank you for standing with creativity.

#FacesUp #NewMonthDonation #BuildingSpaces

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

More posters:

#FacesUp #NewMonthDonation #BuildingSpaces

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

"The education system we dream about for our children or siblings already exists.

A learning experience that goes beyond exams to develop creativity, confidence, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and problem-solving.

This is Education 4.0.

The question is not whether our children need it.

The question is whether we are willing to make it accessible to them.

Read our latest blog and explore how arts education is helping shape the future of learning in Uganda". - @kalulemma

#FacesUp

Link: https://t.co/1Ogbe8HFS1

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

We are glad to be represented by @mirembe_crystyn at 5th Annual Uganda National Mental Health Conference that started yesterday and runs until tomorrow.
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As an organisation that understands the importance of collaboration and learning within the mental health ecosystem, we are happy to join fellow changemakers, practitioners and organisations to learn, connect and explore pathways towards making sure every young person has access to the support they need to live healthy, empowered and emotionally attuned lives.
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Moments like these continue to remind us that healing, care and support for young people cannot be done alone, but through communities, partnerships and shared action.

#FacesUp #UNMHConf2026

[Crystyn Mirembe @mirembe_crystyn]

Yesterday was day one of representing @FacesUpUganda at the 5th Uganda National Mental Health Conference 2026 under the theme “Professionalism in Mental health : The Multi Disciplinarity” at Silver springs hotel Bugolobi
#UNMHConf2026

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Have you gotten your artistic notebook from us yet?

Every notebook you purchase does more than hold ideas and notes, it helps invest in the education of children from financially challenged backgrounds.
Carry creativity with purpose.

Buy a notebook. Support a child’s future.

Send us a DM or comment below and we will send you images of the notebooks available.

#FacesUp #artwithapurpose

[BMM Shift Group @BMMShifters]

Yesterday was the Day 1 as we joined the mental health like minded professionals at the #5thUgandaMentalHealthConference2026 under the theme "Professionalism In Mental Health: The Multidisciplinarity"

#mentalhealth #BMMYouth #youth

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

We are honoured to have our founder @kalulemma nominated for the International Business Achiever Award (IBAA 2026).

Grateful to see the journey and work of our team at Faces Up Uganda being recognized on an international stage.

This recognition is bigger than one person. It reflects the creativity, resilience, and potential of the young people and communities we serve every day through art, education, and healing-centered spaces.

A big thank you to the organizers @mgibescollege , UK in Ghana for this recognition and for creating platforms that celebrate leaders and changemakers across the globe.

If you will be in Accra this weekend, Emmanuel will be staying a few extra days after the event and would be glad to connect with fellow creatives, educators, social entrepreneurs, partners, and friends working to create meaningful impact across Africa.

Feel free to drop a DM.
📍 British Council, Accra – Ghana
🗓️ Saturday, 30th May 2026
🕓 4:00 PM

#IBAA2026 #FacesUp #CreativeYouthDevelopment #SocialImpact #ArtsEducation

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

There is something powerful about seeing a young person’s dream move from possibility to public recognition.

Today, we are celebrating Mayambala ( @Eziecomicsug ), one of the young creatives we have journeyed with over the years, who has just been featured in a two-page story in @newvisionwire newspaper, one of Uganda’s major national newspapers.

The article highlights his passion for comic books and how he is using storytelling and illustration to raise awareness about issues affecting fellow young people.

What makes this moment special is that it is not a surprise to us.

From the very first days we met Mayambala, his vision was already alive.

His curiosity, creativity, and commitment to using art as a voice were impossible to ignore. We simply created space for that spark to grow brighter.

Moments like this remind us why we do this work.

When young people are given safe spaces, mentorship, tools, and belief, they do not just create art, they create influence, opportunity, and change.

We are proud of you, Mayambala. Your story is only beginning.

When you invest through a donation or by purchasing our merchandise, you become part of stories like Mayambala’s.

Your support helps us continue creating platforms, opportunities, and safe spaces for many more young people to grow, express themselves, and be seen.

See the link https://t.co/k3ZVTkNlzF to invest and help us keep these platforms alive and impactful.

#FacesUp #ArtForChange #youthmentorship

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

"I recently attended the Thriving Through Play workshop organized by @Global4Children , representing @facesupuganda .

What stood out for me most was being able to truly contextualize play and well-being to the children and communities we serve.

We talked about what really influences well-being, our feelings, thoughts, interests, sense of belonging, relationships, safety, and so much more. It made me reflect deeply on how different children experience well-being differently depending on their environments and lived realities.

I also loved the conversations around defining play within our own context, not just from theory, but from the realities of our communities.

The workshop explored how play can be used intentionally for psychosocial support and learning. We also unpacked the continuum of PPS, child agency, and the role adults play in creating safe and supportive spaces where children can actively participate, express themselves, and thrive.

This workshop gave language and structure to things I have always believed in, while also challenging me to think deeper about how we design programs and experiences for children.

It reminded me that play is not “just play” it is a powerful tool for children’s well-being". - @CleverNinsiima

#facesup

[#FacesUp @FacesUpUganda]

Art that heals.
Art that empowers.
Art that educates.

This is what we Faces Up Uganda are all about.
#FacesUp