KIU, Main Campus - Kampala International University (KIU) in collaboration with Art Secrets Revealed initiative hosted over 80 secondary schools from across Uganda for the 2026 National Art Workshop and Exhibition, an initiative aimed at nurturing creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship among young learners.

This annual four-day event which is held mid-year was conducted from Wednesday, June 17th to Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at the 6th Floor of the Idd Basajjabalaba Memorial Library, Main Campus. This brought together students, teachers, and art professionals to explore the diversity of art.

Designed to bridge artistic talent and practical skills development, the annual workshop exposed participants to a wide range of creative disciplines, including, making of craft shoes, drawings, painting, pottery, weaving, jewellery making, fabric decoration among others. Through interactive demonstrations and guided practical sessions, students gained hands-on experience while exploring the creative potential of artistic work.

Head of Programmes at Art Secrets Revealed, Hashib Kibazo stated that the workshop seeks to inspire learners to take on Art as a career in the future during or after school since there are many opportunities in Art. “One can end up as an Architect, a sculptor, a fashion designer, a painter, videographer, photographer, and many more but it all starts with one being inspired and that’s why we conduct this workshop,” Kibazo added.
He also argued that Art is not just a talent but can also be learned through trainings and these make one a better artist in the particular artistic field.

One of the facilitators on the third day of the training, Mustafah Lutaaya, an Art and Design teacher at Kibuli Secondary School appreciated the fact that such workshops help enhance the making of art work. “We expect students to improve on the way they execute their artwork since better work calls for continuous learning and practice,” said Lutaaya.

Talking to some of the student participants, Hisham Walusimbi, an Art student at Mbogo Mixed Secondary School showed eagerness to put to practice the idea of mixing colours for better art pieces. “I have learnt how to mix different colours and am sure my artwork will not stay the same,” he said.

Shadia Kassim, a senior six student at Madinah Islamic Secondary School was impressed by how the exhibition made pottery look so easy to do yet it had proved challenging to her before and that she hopes to pursue that path. “The exhibition has been so good and from what I see, am considering joining KIU next year for my university education,” she added.

The workshop gave participants the opportunity to exhibit and witness several art works which inspired the students to believe in themselves.

Some of the schools represented at the workshop included, Ubuntu Hill, Christ High School, Paul Mukasa SS, Trinity College, Malcolm X SS, Kawempe Mbogo SS, Bridges College Zana, Kitala SS, Kakungulu Memorial Senior School, Bilal Islamic, Nakasongola Army, Buddo Secondary School, Katwe Noor SS, Kitante Hill School, Crane Hill SS, St. Mary's Namagunga, Universal High School, Kawempe Muslim Secondary School, St. Mark Namagoma, Kinaawa High School, Bethany High School Naalya, Standard High School Zana, Kawanda SS, St. Lucia Namagoma among others.