From a young student artist in Kampala to a nationally commissioned Artist and a creative entrepreneur, my journey is one of continual exploration and bold experimentation. Along the way, I’ve made mistakes, faced setbacks, and learned hard but invaluable lessons. Yet, through it all, my faith and unrelenting determination to challenge limits have never wavered.
My work spans diverse fine arts, functional art, and creative direction—blending tradition, spirituality and design to inspire, serve, and transform.
As a gifted art student, I was offered the rare honor of being the only student selected as an Artist-in-Residence among a team of professional artists. This residency marked my first formal platform for showcasing my work. It was not only a recognition of my talent but also a space where I inspired peers and began seeing myself as more than just a student—I was an artist with a unique voice. The experience ignited a deeper commitment to my craft and gave me a glimpse of how art could serve as both a calling and a contribution.
After completing my O-levels, my art teacher presented me with a transformative opportunity: to create five portrait paintings of beloved teachers for the school’s farewell ceremony. This became my first paid commission. I poured all my skills and emotion into each piece—and the response was overwhelming. The admiration from students, staff, and the administration made me realize that art could move people and create lasting value. It also marked the beginning of regular portrait commissions and the slow realization that I had been entrusted with a special, God-given gift.
Elected as School President against all odds, my campaign was inspired by Barack Obama’s message of hope and change. During my term, I led the student board in organizing events, improving systems, and advocating for student life enhancements. My responsibilities included public speaking, proposing student-focused policies, and managing team projects. However, the intense focus on leadership took a toll on my academics, teaching me an important lesson: that passion must be balanced with discipline and mentorship. This experience planted seeds for my future leadership in creative ventures.
Together with my mother Dorothy Migadde, I co-founded Dormi Arts—an independent creative studio dedicated to visual storytelling through art and design. For three years, we ran the studio as a two-person team, providing clients with portraits, murals, illustrations, and custom furniture. Dormi Arts became a sanctuary of creativity and a training ground for young artisans. It was through this venture that I began merging business and artistry, producing work that was not only expressive but also functional.
We were commissioned by the Uganda Martyrs Museum to create over 30 oil paintings of Uganda’s most revered historical figures—kings, bishops, and presidents. The project required intense research to accurately depict these personalities. Every painting had to embody the dignity, power, and legacy of its subject. Working side by side with my mother, we navigated the emotional and technical demands of such a historically sensitive project. It was a pivotal moment for my artistic identity and greatly refined my skills in oil painting and narrative composition.
In 2017, Fairway Hotel was undergoing a major transformation. Despite our relatively modest portfolio at the time, the hotel’s director was captivated by our bold and organic design style. We were commissioned to design and fabricate several art-based functional pieces, including:
18 hand-carved wall mirrors made from reclaimed wood, inspired by the buttress roots of the Mutuba tree
Rustic-modern furniture using raw wood and glass combinations
Customized lobby counters and signage
To create the pieces, I led field expeditions into forests in Nakasongola where I sourced aged tree stumps—materials often seen as waste—and gave them new life. We trained our artisan team to handle these complex materials, transforming the raw into the refined. This project pushed Dormi Arts into a new league of design innovation and sustainable production.
My first large-scale wood carving evolved from a spontaneous and casual sketch of fish swimming among reeds that I had drawn 5 years ago. This concept came to life when I was asked to repurpose a client’s old table. I sculpted the imagery into the tabletop and covered it with glass, making it both functional and visually arresting. It became my first large-scale wood sculpture and a teaching moment, as I trained my apprentices in traditional carving techniques passed down by my father Expedito Mwebe, an exceptional artist whose wood carved panels are inspiring stories and imaginations immortalized in perfect blend of genius.
Madam Patricia was the kind of client every artist dreams of—curious, expressive, and trusting of the creative process. She commissioned me to redesign her home using custom furnishings and creative décor. Together, we developed:
A balcony bar with elegant rustic curves
Custom stools, shelves, and wall hangings tailored to her aesthetic
Tables and artifacts that turned her home into an experiential gallery
Working closely with her, I realized the importance of co-creation in design—art that reflects the soul of its environment and its people.
Commissioned to sculpt a bust of Mr. Cockroft using limited video references, I had to rely on studying facial motion and expression. Capturing likeness under pressure refined my observational skills. The final piece impressed even the subject, affirming my growing ability in portrait sculpture.
I was commissioned by Roofings Ltd. to design small elephant-themed trophies, echoing their brand icon. I developed a prototype, then learned metal casting from scratch, collaborating with local artisans to reproduce the sculptures in aluminum. This project broadened my materials expertise and introduced a new medium to Dormi Arts’ offerings.
Commissioned by the Uganda Martyrs Museum, I sculpted a full-size cement figure of the late Bishop Nkoyoyo. Completed in two months, this spiritually significant piece demanded both physical intensity and deep reverence. It remains one of my most fulfilling public works.
We were tasked with designing unique artifacts to elevate the ambiance of a luxury guest house. I created multimedia installations, framed prints, rustic lamps, and themed wall hangings—all built in-house by our artisan team. The space was transformed into a creative haven that left guests in awe.
This ambitious project involved a full-scale artistic redesign of a safari lodge. I toured the site, collaborated with stakeholders, and developed designs for:
Coffee and side tables from epoxy-resin, metal, and stone
Signage and accessories tailored to the safari environment
Interior fixtures using natural and recycled materials
We introduced new materials and techniques to our team, training artisans in resin work and stone-setting. The result: a fully customized artistic experience that married wildlife elegance with functional art.
Inspired by the Sambiya Lodge pool-side tables that I designed, Coco Beach tasked us to create outdoor tables with a marine theme. I redesigned the legs with fish motifs, sourced unique stone slates from quarries, and trained our team to assemble and finish the tables for coastal weather conditions.
For several years, I’ve facilitated one-day workshops at Kampala International School of Uganda. These events allowed me to share techniques with young, eager learners and reaffirmed my belief that art-making is essential for youth development. Teaching others has also helped refine my own process and connect with the next generation of creators.
