Ugandan artist wins the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Art Competition

Racheal Musiimenta from Uganda has been announced as the 2024 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Art Competition winner.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) Regional Office for Africa made the announcement in commemoration of World Disaster Risk Reduction Day, which is marked every year on October 13th.

The competition attracted over 250 entries from across Africa. This year’s theme, ‘Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future,’ and the response it received highlighted the pivotal role of young people in shaping a sustainable and resilient future for all.

Musiimenta artwork “Chords of Hope”  stood out from the rest as it drew inspiration from the tragic Kitezi landfill, a dump site that collapsed in Uganda on August 9, 2024, claiming the lives of over 20 people.

The art piece symbolized the ignorance surrounding waste management while highlighting education as a powerful tool for fostering resilience.

As her reward, Racheal will attend the 9th Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (AfRP-9) in Windhoek, Namibia, from October 21-24, 2024.

Sponsored by UNDRR, this opportunity will allow her to showcase her artwork. She will also be able to engage with key DRR stakeholders and witness crucial discussions to assess the progress of the Sendai Framework in Africa.

Apart from being an artist, Musiimenta has a passion for exploring Uganda’s diverse landscape, an interest she is academically pursuing as a second-year student at Makerere University.

She is majoring in a bachelor’s degree in Land Surveying and Geomatics at the University of Uganda, where she hopes to preserve Uganda’s rich ecological heritage, a theme central to her winning piece.

Musiimenta is also involved in environmental conservation and actively developing her skills in Geospatial technology, skills she hopes to use to analyze and solve complex environmental issues.

Musiimenta other recognition includes the 2018 winner of the National Cultural Heritage Competition Issued by Cross Cultural Foundation Uganda.