Faisal KIWEWA is the founder and Artistic Director of Bayimba Foundation. Together with a skilful team of he has worked hard to transform the arts scene in Uganda from a rather static state to its current level of vibrancy. During the past years, under his guidance, Bayimba has trained, supported and created numerous platforms to celebrate the arts in Uganda. As such, Bayimba has developed into a house hold name among artists and professionals, not only within Uganda but also within the East African region and other corners around the world.
Through Bayimba, Faisal has organised a range of festivals and events, ranging from the internationally acclaimed Bayimba International Festival of the Arts – this year in its 14th edition – and various festivals across Uganda (between 2010 and 2015). He furthermore was instrumental in introducing the regional forum DOADOA | East African Performing Arts Market (9th editions since 2012) and the specialized Kampala International Theatre Festival (8th editions since 2014) as well as reviving and reinvigorating the Amakula International Film Festival (since 2016). He is a frequently asked programmer/curator, committee or jury member for various festivals and events across the continent, as well as a regularly invited speaker and trainer.
Faisal seats on several boards around the world including; Music in Africa Board (South Africa), Juenesses Musicale International Board, the International Independent Cultural Council (UK/Greece) Board, He is a founding Member of Africa Music Forum (Cape Verde), Country representative, Visa for Music (Morocco), Member of iGODA network (Reunion Island/Sub Saharan Africa), Member of Arterial Network (South Africa), Member of Culture Connections Africa (US/Africa) and Steering Committee Member CultureCOP among others.
He acquired his International Cultural management knowledge base from the DeVos Institute of Arts Management at Kennedy Center (US – 2010 - 2012), Management School of Fundraising (UK – 2010) and the CREARE – Erasmus Centre for Research and Cultural Economics (NL - 2009).
