{"id":10582,"date":"2026-11-06T18:10:59","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T15:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/?p=10582"},"modified":"2026-11-06T18:11:02","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T15:11:02","slug":"you-make-lemonade-when-given-lemons-department-of-performing-arts-and-film-earns-principals-handshake-and-equipment-pledge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chuss.mak.ac.ug\/en\/you-make-lemonade-when-given-lemons-department-of-performing-arts-and-film-earns-principals-handshake-and-equipment-pledge\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cYou Make Lemonade When Given Lemons\u201d: Department of Performing Arts and Film earns Principal\u2019s Handshake and Equipment pledge."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KAMPALA, 4 November 2026. The Principal of Makerere University\u2019s College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Prof. Helen N. Nkabala, has promised that equipment for the Department of Performing Arts and Film will be included in the University\u2019s 2027\/28 financial year budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She made the announcements while closing the department\u2019s Christmas choral and carol performance, Christmas Bells Kling Klang<\/em>, at the Makerere University Main Hall at 2:00 PM today. \u201cI\u2019ve taken this opportunity to listen in on whatever issues may be affecting you,\u201d she told the students and staff, adding that University management greatly appreciates the work of the department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She also picked what she called low-hanging fruits and raised them with the Head of Department. Chief among them were the multi-coloured files in which choir members held their musical notes during the concert. She said the files should be uniform and that they qualify as teaching materials, and promised that the department would have uniform files by next semester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Praising the department for always making the best of limited resources, she said the department has earned the Principal\u2019s handshake this month in appreciation of the work of staff and students. \u201cYou have proved that you are the kind of people who make lemonade when given lemons,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLet\u2019s not focus on what we don\u2019t have but instead focus on what we have and use it to make a statement so that what we don\u2019t have can come,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences giving her closing remarks.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The concert gave audiences a varied programme of choral and solo music which featured African-American spirituals, Italian madrigals, classical arias and Christmas classics. It brought together students pursuing the Bachelor of Music programme as well as the Diploma in Performing Arts programme, who were assessed for oral singing according to their programme requirements. Entry was free, keeping the event open to students, staff and the wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students of the Department of Performing Arts and Film wowed the audience with their voices. The show put both the department\u2019s students and staff\u2019s comprehensive skill sets, talent and training on public display, with both solo and group vocal and instrumental performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Students of the Department of Performing Arts and Film during the concert<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The show was coordinated by Dr. Milton Wabyona, an esteemed composer, performance artist, researcher, and lecturer at the department. Balancing precision with expression, he masterfully conducted the various performances with intense but economical movements, keeping the audience entranced whilst guiding students. Opening the programme, he told the audience, \u201cThese are students of the Bachelor of Music, years one through three, and they will be assessed on oral singing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dr. Milton Wabyona, a lecturer at the department, conducting a performance.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also present were the Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa, the Acting Head of the Department of Performing Arts and Film, Dr. Alfadaniels Mabingo, and other lecturers from the department. The final performance particularly touched the Principal, who asked the students to perform it again and joined them in song and dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From left, the Principal of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Helen N. Nkabala, the Dean of the School of Liberal and Performing Arts, Dr. Pamela Khanakwa and the Acting Head of Department of Performing Arts and Film, Dr. Alfadaniels Mabingo at the concert.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calling back to her own roots as an artist, she said she had led her colleagues at cultural galas as the lead soloist for all three years of her degree. \u201cI was born a musician,\u201d she said. The room filled with thunderous applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She recognised and congratulated all staff and students from the department for an excellent job. \u201cDear students, today you have made a very clear statement in what you know how to do best,\u201d she said, adding that she had not come only to enjoy the performance. \u201cI would like you to know that each and every one of you has passed, so celebrate yourselves.\u201d The room again filled with thunderous applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She first asked the staff to clap for the students. She then asked all staff members to stand for recognition. \u201cDear students, can we clap for our mentors?\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Acting Head of the Department of Performing Arts and Film, Dr. Alfadaniels Mabingo, thanked everyone in attendance for coming. \u201cAs a department, we are committed to building our products, including ourselves and our works,\u201d he said in his closing remarks, thanking the team for being at the core of this vision. He also thanked the Principal for being present from the start of the concert despite her very busy schedule, which he said showed her commitment to, and belief in, the department, its staff and its students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prof. Helen N. Nkabala and Dr. Alfadaniels Mabingo during the event<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on why the department does what it does, he said, \u201cWe make art because life is not enough.\u201d He remarked that the event was indicative of that statement. \u201cWe create work especially now that the world is experiencing so many challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Students\u2019 views<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Among the outstanding soloists was Kibalama Frederick, a first year student pursuing a Diploma in Performing Arts who wowed the crowd with soulful and resonant vocals.  He said his love of music goes back to childhood. \u201cI played music all throughout,\u201d he said, adding that studying it formally was something he had long looked forward to. The diploma is a two-year programme. Afterwards, he plans to carry his special talent and skill set to a teaching career, grooming the next generation of musicians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking about how the field of performing arts and film is perceived,  he said that some parents hesitate to let their children enter the industry because of the poor examples they see, which can overshadow the artists who are doing well. He urged parents to back talented children. \u201cRight now our world is in talent,\u201d he said, and parents can support both a child\u2019s gift and their academics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amanda Arijuka, a student pursuing a Bachelor of Music, said there was a class specifically for choir from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM every Thursday in preparation for the show. \u201cWe prepared the entire semester, from the beginning of the semester,\u201d she said, adding that the concert is staged every semester. She also added that students were continually assessed during practice prior to the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photo credits: Peninah Nalubega,  4th<\/sup> year Journalism student.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n