Bruno Ruganzu (Uganda)

Photo credits: Birgit Fostervold

RUGANZU BRUNO TUSINGWIRE is a multi-media artist known predominantly for his work intercepting the waste stream and recycled playgrounds. His practice is about transforming waste into functional installations and shifting mindsets from consumers to producers. He was born in Kabale in 1982 and grew up in rural setting before moving to Kampala, Uganda´s Capital for studies where he was met with the massive waste that inspires his art.  Ruganzu holds a Masters in Pedagogy (M.A.) from OsloMET University in Norway and a Bachelors in Art and industrial design from Kyambogo University. He is a lecturer at the Department of Art and Design where he teaches Sculpture and Painting in Kampala, Uganda where he lives. He has been Artist in residence MS TCDC in Arusha, Tanzania 2018(May-June) ,  Fabrikken Kunst in Denmark in 2017, Installed UbuntuNest at Seoul international Hand Made Fair in South Korea 2017 and Environmental Artist in Residence at McColl Center of Art and Innovation, North Carolina – USA.
Also he is founding artist of Ecoart Uganda, an international collective of artists, designers and architects who also work with plastic debris and environmental awareness. Ruganzu's work has been featured on CNN, The CREAVIT, Inhabitat, The GOOD, National Geographical, The Independent among others. Ruganzu Bruno is also the founding curator of TEDxKampala and the winner of the the first City 2.0 Award in 2012 as well as UbuntuTalks- a platform dedicated to celebrating African ideas to action approach.
As  eco-artist from Uganda committed to creating environments which support healthy childhoods. He is transforming space, waste and environment by creating playground elements around the world utilizing salvaged waste. Ruganzu has been a member of jury for the RAID Awards 2015. Ruganzu also leads creative and entrepreneur workshops, works with students, teachers and residents leading experiences which provide experiential learning opportunities on utilizing salvaged materials to create learning experiences, business innovation and art
He also is the recipient 2011 Young Achievers Award (Art, Fashion and Culture), 2011 Planet Women Photography Competition(Uganda) winner, Rio+20 Plasticity, International competition (Capturing Gold category) award 2012. The Ecoart Playgrounds project took second place invisibleAwards2015.