The Bureau,

1. Recalling Article 23 of the Convention as well as Chapter I.4 of the Operational Directives relating to the eligibility and criteria of International Assistance requests,
2. Having examined document LHE/24/19.COM 2.BUR/4 and the request for preparatory assistance no. 02251 submitted by Uganda,
3. Takes note that Uganda has requested International Assistance in the amount of US$7,970 to prepare a nomination of Imbalu ceremonies to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding:

To be implemented by the Inzu Ya Masaaba/Institution of the Umukuuka, this three-month project is aimed at preparing a nomination file to the Urgent Safeguarding List for the Imbalu Ceremonies in Uganda. The ceremonies are a rite of passage for young men that involve many activities, from cultural education, to running, dancing and beer brewing. They culminate with the circumcision of initiates, accompanied by rites such as the smearing of millet paste on their bodies and a dance performance to welcome them back into the community. The ceremonies are observed by the Bamasaaba communities in eastern and western Uganda. The Imbalu ceremonies are at risk of disappearing due to a marked decrease in traditional circumcision pathways and changes such as wildlife protection laws that affect certain elements of the ceremonies. Environmental challenges, including a drop in millet and sorghum production, are also impacting the ceremonies. This project will support the preparation of the nomination file for the Imbalu ceremonies through consultations with bearers, community leaders, women and youth representatives, and the Umukuuka institution, with the goal of obtaining their consent and involvement.

4. Decides that, from the information provided in file no. 02251, the request responds as follows to the criteria for granting International Assistance given in paragraphs 10 and 12 of the Operational Directives:

Criterion A.1: The requesting State Party intends to organize a consultation workshop with the communities concerned to ensure their widest possible involvement in the preparation of the nomination and to obtain their free, prior and informed consent to the nomination of the element to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. In addition, community members will support the documentation of the cultural practices and rites associated with the Imbalu ceremonies.

Criterion A.2: The amount requested by the State Party seems appropriate in relation to the proposed activities for the preparation of the nomination file to the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Criterion A.3: The preparatory assistance will support the organization of a consultation workshop that will bring together nearly 160 stakeholders (practitioners, community leaders, custodians). The funds will be also used to prepare a nomination video highlighting the traditions of the Imbalu ceremonies and their contribution to Bamasaaba cultural identity.

Criterion A.4: The requesting State Party is committed to submitting a nomination for the possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. The submission is expected before 31 March 2025 for possible inscription by the Committee at its twenty-first session, provided that the nomination can be included in the 2026 cycle in application of the annual ceiling for the number of nominations and the priority system in force at the time of the submission.

Criterion A.5: The requesting State Party will contribute 6 per cent (US$500) of the total amount of the project for preparatory assistance. Consequently, International Assistance is requested from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for the remaining 94 per cent of the total amount of the project.

Criterion A.6: The public consultations and the communities’ involvement in the fieldwork should help build their capacities and raise awareness about the importance of safeguarding this element to ensure its continued viability.

Criterion A.7: Uganda has benefited from International Assistance from the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund for seven completed projects and two ongoing projects.[1] The work stipulated in the contracts related to these projects was and is being carried out in accordance with UNESCO regulations.

5. Approves the request for preparatory assistance from Uganda for the preparation of the nomination for the Imbalu ceremonies in view of the submission of the nomination for possible inscription of the element on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, and grants the amount of US$7,970 to the requesting State Party to this end;
6. Encourages the requesting State Party to strengthen the capacity of the communities concerned to safeguarding the practice in question by explaining the purpose, scope and mechanisms of the 2003 Convention during the consultations;
7. Invites the requesting State Party to demonstrate in the nomination file that the proposed element is compatible with the requirements of mutual respect among communities, groups and individuals, of sustainable development as specified in Article 2 of the Convention, and that it respects free, prior, sustained and informed consent of the individuals concerned, while taking into account the Convention’s Ethical Principles for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (particularly points 4 and 6);
8. Requests that the Secretariat reach an agreement with the requesting State Party on the technical details of the assistance, paying particular attention to ensuring that the budget and the work plan of the activities to be covered by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Fund are detailed and specific enough to provide a sufficient justification of all the expenditures;
9. Invites the requesting State Party to use Form ICH-05-Report to report on the use of the assistance granted.

[1] (a) ‘Inventorying the intangible cultural heritage of four communities in Uganda’ (US$216,000; July 2013–March 2015); (b) Preparatory assistance (List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding) for the nomination entitled ‘The male-child cleansing ceremony of the Lango people of North Central Uganda (Dwoko Atin Awobi lot)’ (US$8,570; March 2012–March 2013); (c) Preparatory assistance (List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding) for the nomination entitled ‘Madi bow lyre music, O’di’ (US$10,000; December 2013–March 2015); (d) ‘Safeguarding and promotion of Bigwala, gourd trumpet music and dance of Busoga Kingdom in Uganda’ (US$24,990; September 2015–August 2017); (e) ‘Promoting intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in Uganda’ (US$97,582; June 2017–June 2020); (f) ‘Community-self documentation and revitalization of ceremonies and practices associated with Empaako naming system in Uganda’ (US$232,120; February 2018–February 2020); (g) ‘Strengthening the capacity of community museums to promote inscribed intangible cultural heritage elements’ (US$61,471; May 2020–June 2022); (h) ‘Consolidating the promotion of intangible cultural heritage education in institutions of higher learning in collaboration with bearer communities’ (US$98,203; April 2024–March 2026); and (i) ‘Consolidating and upscaling efforts of community museums to safeguard six intangible cultural heritage elements in Uganda’ (US$99,601; contract under establishment).