Uganda's Art Scene Reflects African Boom as Global Interest Grows

Despite Challenges, Initiatives Like the Contemporary Art Society of Uganda Aim to Foster Local Art Collections

Uganda's art scene is experiencing a boom, reflecting a similar trend across Africa, as more collectors show interest in modern African art.
The Ivorian painter Aboudia was the world's bestselling artist in 2022, and an artwork by Ethiopian-born artist Julie Mehretu fetched $10.7 million at auction, a new record for an African artist.
Artists in Uganda now have more opportunities to exhibit their work, with at least six commercial art galleries in the capital, Kampala, compared to just one in the 1990s.
Despite the growing interest, Uganda's collecting class remains small, with gallerists mostly relying on collectors outside Uganda.
In 2022, a group of Ugandans formed the Contemporary Art Society of Uganda to promote the emergence of private and corporate art collections in the country.