Xenson Art Space Launches the Bark Cloth Center. A New Chapter for Uganda’s Creative Industries, Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Innovation.
Uganda’s creative and cultural landscape is set for an important milestone as Xenson Art Space officially launches the Bark Cloth Center, on 29th July 2026 ; a pioneering initiative that aims to transform Uganda’s ancient bark cloth tradition into a driver of cultural preservation, sustainable enterprise, tourism and youth employment.
The launch marks more than the opening of a new centre. It represents the beginning of an ambitious movement to position Uganda as a global leader in sustainable African design and indigenous innovation.
Founded by Ugandan artist Xenson, Xenson Art Space has built a strong reputation for championing contemporary African art while preserving and reimagining Uganda’s cultural heritage. Through exhibitions, artist development, community engagement and international collaborations, the organisation continues to support creative practice and cultural dialogue in Uganda.
The launch of the Bark Cloth Center expands this vision by placing art, heritage, innovation and enterprise at the centre of social and economic development.
Reviving One of Africa’s Oldest Living Traditions
Recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, bark cloth is one of the world’s oldest textiles still produced today. For centuries, it has been central to the cultural identity of Buganda and other communities in Uganda.
Despite its significance, the bark cloth ecosystem faces increasing challenges, including the loss of traditional knowledge, limited commercial opportunities, declining numbers of skilled artisans and insufficient investment in production infrastructure.
The Bark Cloth Center seeks to address these challenges by connecting heritage with innovation.
The Centre will serve as a hub for:
- Heritage preservation and research
- Artisan and youth skills development
- Product innovation and design
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Community enterprise development
- Cultural tourism
- Environmental conservation through mutuba tree planting
- International collaboration and market access
From Heritage to Green Economy
The initiative demonstrates that cultural heritage can be more than something to preserve. It can become the foundation of a thriving green economy.
By integrating traditional bark cloth production with contemporary design, entrepreneurship and sustainable manufacturing, the project creates opportunities for artisans, farmers, designers and young entrepreneurs while promoting environmentally responsible production.
The long-term vision includes the establishment of the Kakiri and Masaka Production and Innovation Center, a dedicated manufacturing and training hub that will scale production, strengthen Uganda’s creative industries and create new export opportunities for bark cloth products.
Supporting Communities Through a Complete Ecosystem
The Bark Cloth Center is designed as an ecosystem rather than a single institution.
Over the next five years, the initiative aims to:
- Train more than 500 young people in bark cloth production, fashion, design and entrepreneurship
- Empower over 500 women through creative enterprise and value addition
- Support more than 200 farmers through mutuba tree cultivation and sustainable agroforestry
- Create over 300 direct jobs across production, training, tourism, design, administration and export
- Establish a long-term network of 50,000 mutuba trees through community partnerships to secure a sustainable supply of bark cloth for future generations
Positioning Uganda as a Cultural Tourism Destination
Beyond production, the Bark Cloth Center is expected to become an important cultural tourism destination.
Visitors will experience:
- Bark cloth-making demonstrations
- Interactive workshops
- Artist studios
- Cultural exhibitions
- Heritage storytelling
- Community tourism experiences
- Festivals celebrating Uganda’s living traditions
The Centre is expected to complement Uganda’s wildlife tourism by offering authentic cultural experiences that encourage longer visitor stays and greater local economic participation.
A Platform for Uganda’s Creative Economy
Xenson Art Space remains committed to supporting Uganda’s artists and creative practitioners.
Its programmes will continue to include:
- Contemporary art exhibitions
- Artist residencies
- International cultural exchanges
- Research and documentation
- Creative entrepreneurship programmes
- Public education initiatives
- Design innovation
- International collaborations and exhibitions
Together, Xenson Art Space, the Bark Cloth Center and the future Kakiri and Masaka Production and Innovation Center will create one of East Africa’s most comprehensive creative and cultural ecosystems.
Call for Partnership
The success of the initiative depends on collaboration across government, development partners, cultural institutions, academia, the private sector and local communities.
Xenson Art Space invites organisations, investors, donors, tourism stakeholders and the public to join this shared vision of preserving Uganda’s heritage while creating sustainable livelihoods and positioning the country as a leader in Africa’s creative economy.
As Uganda continues to seek innovative pathways for inclusive development, the Bark Cloth Center demonstrates how culture, sustainability and entrepreneurship can work together to build resilient communities and create opportunities for future generations.
Event Details
Event: Launch of the Bark Cloth Center
Hosted by: Xenson Art Space
Venue: Bark Cloth Center, Kamwokya
Date: 29th July 2026
Time: 12:00Pm – 3:00PM
About Xenson Art Space
Xenson Art Space is a Ugandan contemporary art organisation founded by artist Xenson. Through exhibitions, education, research and community engagement, the organisation promotes African artistic excellence while preserving cultural heritage and supporting creative innovation.
About the Bark Cloth Center
The Bark Cloth Center is an initiative of Xenson Art Space dedicated to preserving Uganda’s bark cloth heritage through research, skills development, sustainable production, environmental conservation, cultural tourism and enterprise development. The Centre serves as a bridge between traditional knowledge and contemporary creative industries, positioning bark cloth as a globally recognised sustainable material for the future.