Department of Music and Performing Arts
A Home of Creativity, Talent, and Artistic Excellence
James Isabirye (PhD)
Head, Department of Performing Arts
Message from the HoD
The Department of Performing Arts welcomes you and appreciates your interest in exploring our online home. In addition to imparting essential knowledge and practical skills to our students, we engage in a wide range of activities, projects, and research that enrich both academic and artistic growth.
As a practical and vibrant department, we serve as the creative heartbeat of Kyambogo University—planning and delivering much of the entertainment showcased across the institution. We remain committed to nurturing talent, strengthening artistic expression, and preparing our students to excel in the music and performing arts industry.
About Us
Background
The Department of Music was established in 1964, in the then Government Teacher Training College (GTTC) Kyambogo through the guidance of Mr. Peter Cooke.
In 1986 When Kyambogo attained the status of the Institute of Teacher Education (ITEK), the Department took on the role of producing Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) or Graduate teachers of music
It was In 2005 when Kyambogo became a fully pledged Public University, that the Department was renamed as Performing Arts.
Objectives
- Produce the best teachers, lecturers, and tutors of music for secondary schools and tertiary institutions
- Provide an avenue for promotion and preservation of Uganda’s rich music and cultural heritage;
- Design professional tailor-made refresher courses and upgrade training facilities for Music Teachers and Artists.
- Produce well skilled and knowledgeable students to perform recordings for Radio, Television and Film/ Video.
- Design packages for short courses to suit semester breaks or summer holidays for interested individuals;
- Provide a conducive atmosphere for Research, Documentation, Archiving, and Publication
- Produce professional musicians for the growing music/entertainment industry in Uganda;
Mission
To promote excellence in the growth and development of music, dance and drama education and performance in Uganda, through didactic professional training, public performance, research, consultancy and publications.
Programmes Offered
- Master of Arts in Music.
- Master Arts in Music Education.
- Bachelor of Arts with Education – Music with 1 other teaching subjects
- Bachelor of Education – Secondary (Sec);
- Bachelor of Education – Primary (Pr.);
- Bachelor of Performing Arts;
- Bachelor of Teacher Education;
- Bachelor of Arts (Arts), Music as one of the courses;
- Diploma in Theatre and Performing Arts
- Diploma in Education Secondary. (DES)
- Post Graduate Diploma in Education
- Post Graduate Diploma in Teacher Education
- Diploma of Education Primary External
- Bachelor of Education Primary External.
Our Staff
| NAME | QUALIFICATIONS | AREA OF SPECIALIZATION |
| CORE STAFF | ||
| s. Solome Katasi | M. ED, B. Ed, Dip Educ. | Applied Music, Psychology and Sociology of Music, Music Education |
| Mrs. Edith Mbedha Buyinza | M. ED, B. Ed, Dip Educ. | Music Education, History of Music |
| Mrs. Senyonjo Juliet Ntambi | M.Ed., B.Ed., Dip Educ. | Basics of Aural Skills, Aural and Choral Conducting, Aural and Ear Training, Music Listening Skills, performing Skills: Aural, Basics of Listening Skills and African |
| Dr. Bamuturaki Keneth | PhD (Exeter UK), MA (MAK), BA, (MAK) | Drama II, Drama, Acting & Play Writing, Film Production, Research Methodology in Music, Drama Tutorials |
| Dr. Isabirye James | M. Ed, PPM (KYU), B.Ed., 1st class, Dip Educ. (ITEK), Dip. MDD, (MAK) | Drama In Educational Institutions, Uganda, Ugandan Dance Performance, Vocal and Instrumental Skills, Music Appreciation & Analysis I, African Applied Skills. |
| Mr. Tendo Mukuye Christopher | MA. (Music), BA. Ed (KyU), ABRSM- Piano G.8,Orgam G.8, Theory G.7 (Recommended for teaching Piano and Brass) | European Keyboard, Applied Skills: Piano, Piano Skills, Theory of Western Music, Advanced Applied Instrumental and Singing Skills |
| Ms. Wadiru Stella | MA, Music B Mus. (MAK) PGDE (KyU), DME (UMI) | Harmony, Counterpoint & Composition III, Ethnomusicology III, Performing Arts, Research |
| Mr. Kitaka George | M.A. Dance (Norway) PGDE (KYU), B. Mus. Dip. Dance & Drama | Composition, Harmony and Analysis., Dance Practices in Community, Advanced Techniques in Uganda, Traditional Dance Skills |
| Mr. Busobozi Nicholas | MA. BTE, Dip Educ. G III (KyU) . (The only one who can teach Music recording and Studio Production | Computer Operation and Music Production, Performing Skills: Piano, Keyboard /Skills and Voice, Introduction to Computer, Piano and Voice, Recitals |
| Mr. Ijiribi David | MA. (Education) BTE, Dip. Educ. G III (KYU) | Theory of African and Western Music, Instrumentation and Dance, African Music Theory, History and Literature of Music II |
Academic Staff
Dr. Keneth Bamuturaki
Head of Department
Peter Ekadu-Ereu
Lecturer
Chris Tendo Mukuye
Lecturer
See Learn about our Academic Research and publications
Research & Publications
Our distinguished faculty offers diverse programs, fostering a dynamic learning environment. With a strong commitment to innovation, our scholars contribute to cutting-edge research, making our faculty a center for intellectual growth at Kyambogo University.