The 2025 Edition of “The BEST OF ME” art exhibition concluded at Makerere Art Gallery with a closing ceremony that echoed the vibrancy and emotional depth of the showcased works. Organized by the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Arts, the exhibition featured final-year projects and recent creations by students and alumni. It transformed the gallery into a dynamic space of introspection, innovation, and cultural dialogue, offering visitors a rich tapestry of artistic expression and social commentary.
The “BEST OF ME” exhibition, an annual event at Makerere University Art Gallery, is primarily curated by third-year finalist students who select and present the finest of their project work. This showcase offers the public and continuing students a glimpse into the creative achievements nurtured within MTSIFA. Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu, the Minister for Energy and Mineral Development and a distinguished alumna of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Arts, presided over the closing ceremony of The Best of Me art exhibition on October 12th, 2025. In her remarks, Nankabirwa commended the students for their exceptional creativity, resilience, and boldness in expressing personal and societal narratives through art. She praised the exhibition as a testament to the transformative power of visual storytelling, noting that the works on display reflected not only technical skill but also deep introspection and cultural relevance.
Hon. Nankabirwa emphasized the importance of nurturing artistic talent as a national resource, encouraging students to continue challenging conventions and using their creativity to influence industry, policy, and community development. She also reflected on her own journey as an artist and leader, inspiring attendees with her message that art and governance are not separate spheres, but interconnected forces for change.
While referencing the Kira Motors Company buses, which are a product of the innovative minds at the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology, Hon. Ruth Nankabirwa Sentamu highlighted the essential role of artists in shaping Uganda’s industrial landscape. She stressed that designers should have been actively involved in reimagining the buses beyond traditional forms, advocating for a more creative and expressive design approach. Featured as part of a broader creative showcase at Makerere University, the buses, she said, represented a powerful opportunity for the arts to challenge convention. “Move away from the ordinary,” she urged, encouraging students to use their creativity to redefine functionality and become drivers of transformation.
Dr. Venny Nakazibwe, speaking on behalf of Dr. Amanda Tumusiime, Dean of the Margaret Trowel School of Industrial and Fine Art, officially welcomed Hon. Minister Ruth Nankabirwa to a vibrant student art exhibition that showcased the transformative power of creativity. In her remarks, Dr. Nakazibwe described the exhibition as a compelling expression of talent, innovation, and personal growth. She emphasized that each artwork on display represented not only the students’ technical skill but also their journey of self-discovery, guided by dedicated mentorship and rigorous academic training.
The pieces, drawn from the three departments, Visual Communication Design and Multimedia, Industrial Art and Applied Design, and Fine Art, reflected a diverse range of ideas and perspectives, offering fresh interpretations of the world around us. Dr. Nakazibwe extended heartfelt appreciation to the faculty and mentors whose guidance shaped the students’ artistic development. She also acknowledged the unwavering support of Prof. Moses Musinguzi, Principal of the College, whose leadership continues to steer the institution toward excellence in both education and creative expression.
For many of the exhibiting artists, The Best of Me marked a pivotal moment, the transition from student to professional. The works were not only technically refined but conceptually daring, pushing boundaries and challenging norms.
MTSIFA is the oldest art school in East Africa, under the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology ( CEDAT), mandated to safeguard Ugandan cultural heritage through art, and this involves using local materials, local subject matter, and local experiences as explored in this exhibition.
