Ahairwe Lydia
The School of Commercial Industrial Art and Design (SCIAD) at Nkumba University is gearing up to host its 5th Art Exhibition from May 15th to 17th, 2025. The exhibition, themed “Inner Man,” will feature artworks that showcase the struggles and achievements of students in their daily lives.
The annual event is a brainchild of the then SCIAD President Eric Gayi. According to Tashobya Davis, the current Speaker of SCIAD Society, the exhibition has been a huge success since its inception in 2022. “It has promoted the name of the school in the university,” Davis said, adding that the event attracts students from all schools, who appreciate the beautiful work done by SCIAD students.
The exhibition also serves as a platform to market Nkumba University to the world, with posts about the event featured on various media platforms. “This has helped to increase the university’s visibility and reputation,” Davis noted.
The last exhibition, held in August 2024, was attended by Entebbe Mayor Fabrice Ruyenda, who was impressed by the talent displayed by students. One project that stood out was the “Ndi Bulungi” project, which touched the hearts of many spectators with its emotional appeal. The mayor even promised to sponsor half tuition for any SCIAD student facing financial difficulties through the FARUSA program, which he founded.
Mark Lukabwe, the current President of SCIAD (2024-2025), said the exhibition is an opportunity to invite institutes and secondary schools outside the university to showcase their work. “This helps to motivate them to pursue courses like Fashion, Commercial Industrial, and Interior Design, which are not always well-explained to students joining university,” he said.
For Lukabwe, the exhibition has been a launching pad for his career as an artist. He created the “Ndi Bulungi” project, which has earned him recognition as an artist with special talent. He now goes by the brand name “MarkBlack” and works with various platforms that require his talent.
The 5th Art Exhibition will be held in the SCIAD art gallery, where students will express themselves through portraits and drawings. The event promises to be an exciting showcase of creativity and talent, and art enthusiasts are eagerly awaited.
