Est. 2023 · Namatala, Mbale Uganda

Rooted in Namatala, to serve the people.

Here, art isn't just seenit's felt, shared, and turned into hope for young people.

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Empowering 200+ Young People

Lifting voices,
restoring dignity, and igniting hope.

Empowering vulnerable young people and mothers through art.

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Community · Culture · Change

Art for Change.
Art for healing Art for Hope

We believe creativity belongs to everyone. No barriers, no fees, no exclusions just paint, passion, and the will to transform lives together.

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Who We Are

Where Creativity Transforms Lives

3+Years of Impact

Our Story

Born from Passion,
Built for Community

Located in Mbale, Uganda, Namatala slum is home to an estimated 40,000 people, most of them young, whose families were driven there by civil unrest, drought, floods, and landslides all in search of a better life they have yet to find. The weight of poverty here shows up everywhere: hunger, sickness, homelessness, and despair, which too often lead to street children, orphaned youth, drug abuse, school dropouts, teenage pregnancy, and early marriage.

This is the reality our programmes respond to.

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2023

Founded from one person's belief that art could carry a community through hardship – now a registered nonprofit working across religions, ethnicities, and tribes.

Core Values

Sustainability
Empowerment
Creativity
Partnership
Community
Compassion

Programs & Activities

Our programs address poverty, mental health, early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and substance abuse using art as the primary tool for empowerment.

WHO WE SERVE

Art belongs to everyone

The Neighbourhood Art Hub provides a safe, creative space for vulnerable young people and mothers in the Namatala slum of Eastern Uganda. Through art, counselling, and community engagement, we equip individuals with tools for healing, self-expression, and empowerment.

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Free Art Sessions

Two free weekly art sessions open to young people, building skills, resilience, and mental well-being through creative expression.

🔄 Ongoing

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Education Support

Providing school tuition and supplies to 20+ vulnerable children, keeping them in school and helping them build brighter futures.

📚 Scholarship

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Menstrual Hygiene & Empowerment

30+ young women trained to produce and sell reusable sanitary pads promoting dignity, health, and economic opportunity.

💪 Empowerment

Our Direction

Mission, Vision & Future Plan

Our Mission

To create an accessible space where marginalized youth and young mothers heal, develop, and thrive through art and community.

Our Vision

Healing through art, strength through community, together toward a better tomorrow.

Future Plan

We are working to build a permanent community art & culture school in Namatala a purpose-built facility for 100+ young people and mothers. This is not just a building but a platform for them to find their path.

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Voices from the Community

What People Say

Real words from the young people, parents, volunteers, and partners whose lives have been touched by the Neighbourhood Art Hub.

★★★★★

"The creation of art is part of what makes humans different from other animals. It allows us to express our emotions and thoughts. It is vital for everyone to have the chance to make art regardless of their economic circumstances. The satisfaction one gets after making a piece of art is such a wonderful feeling! I'm happy to support this program."

Dawn Marie Cutaia

Supporter & Donor

★★★★★

"I'm proud to have been a small part of giving the gift of art to those who want and need to express themselves. The Neighborhood Art Hub is vital to those who have the most need."

Kathryn Reis

Supporter & Donor

Neighbourhood Art Hub

Monthly Community Event

Colors & Brushes:
Paint for a Preemie

Colors & Brushes is our community art gathering held every last Saturday of the month at Elgon Museum. Once a year, every November, it becomes our flagship Paint for a Preemie edition bringing together hundreds of hearts, hands, and brushes to raise awareness and vital support for premature babies in Mbale.

Every Last Saturday of the Month Elgon Museum, Mbale Paint for a Preemie Every November 500+ Attendees at Preemie Edition

What It Is

A Community United by Art

Colors & Brushes is our recurring community art gathering, held every last Saturday of the month at Elgon Museum. It is a space for artists, community members, and families to paint together, share stories, and build connection through creativity.

Once a year, every November coinciding with World Prematurity Awareness Month Colors & Brushes becomes Paint for a Preemie, our flagship edition. It brings together artists, community members, health workers, students, parents, children, and dignitaries to paint together, raise awareness about preterm births, and generate critical support for premature babies and their families at the neonatal unit of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital.

Community painting together at Colors & Brushes

Last SaturdayEvery Month

When

Every last Saturday of the month and Paint for a Preemie edition every November

Where

Elgon Museum, Mbale City, Uganda

Participation

Open to all, families welcome

Gallery

Moments from Colors & Brushes

A glimpse of the community coming together brushes, colours, and connection at every edition.

Our History

Previous Editions

Scroll sideways to browse editions this list grows every year.

2023

The Beginning

Our inaugural event brought together over 200 people, planting a seed of community hope.

200+ Attendees Inaugural Edition

2024

Growing Together

500+ participants, a formal health awareness programme, and a live art auction raising funds for NICU families.

500+ Attendees Art Auction Added

2025

A New Chapter

School partnerships, media coverage, and a collaborative mural now adorning Mbale NICU wing.

Hospital Mural School Partnerships

Join Us for Paint for a Preemie 2026

Every brush stroke you make helps a premature baby breathe a little easier and gives a family a little more hope.

Rooted in Namatala, to serve the people.

Lifting voices,
restoring dignity, and igniting hope.

Art for Change.
Art for healing Art for Hope