Investigating how Art Showcases Cultural Identity in South Western Uganda: A Case Study of Mbarara City

Introduction: Art has always been a powerful tool for expressing cultural identity across the world. From the cave paintings of ancient Europe to the contemporary visual and performance art of the 21st century, art serves as a universal language for expressing shared values, beliefs, and experiences. The study explored the role of art in expressing cultural identity in Mbarara City. Methods: This study adopted a cross-sectional research design with quantitative approaches. Data was collected from local artists, cultural institutions and community members. The total sample size was 70 respondents. A stratified random sampling method was used to select the sample, and questionnaires were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the survey data. Results: It was established that visual arts such as paintings and carvings depict the traditions of the Ankole people and that music and dance are taught to younger generations as part of cultural education. Respondents also noted that folk dances are frequently used during cultural events and festivals. On the role of Art in preservation of culture, it was found out that Art brings people together and promotes unity within communities and that Artists in Mbarara city play a key role in preserving local traditions. Conclusions: The findings show a strong focus on passing cultural traditions (music and dance) to the younger generation, which indicates a positive outlook for the preservation of these aspects of the culture, even though some other traditions (like storytelling and crafts) may be in decline. While there is strong agreement on the importance of music, dance, and visual arts in cultural representation, some traditional elements are less influential in the modern cultural landscape of Mbarara