Collin Sekajugo

Collin Sekajugo (b. 1980 in Uganda) is a self-taught Ugandan artist with a multicultural heritage—his father is Ugandan and his mother Rwandan. Sekajugo’s art reflects his journey of navigating multiple spaces and cultures, and he often identifies as East African rather than solely Ugandan or Rwandan. His work explores themes of identity, ethnicity, and the societal forces that shape the human experience.

Sekajugo’s collages are an exploration of the contemporary ‘neo-culture’ driven by consumerism and self-obsession. Using everyday materials, his pieces critique the cultural shift from needs to desires, questioning how profit-driven forces shape individual lives. His art often hides key elements of the human form—such as expressions or body parts—suggesting that self-actualisation is frequently hindered or incomplete in a world that emphasises outward appearances. His figures evoke a sense of disorientation, inviting the viewer to reconsider the boundaries of perception and representation.

Sekajugo was exposed to contemporary art-making through a study tour in several Eastern and Southern African countries This experience, together with his itinerant lifestyle, informs his ever-evolving artistic approach, as he seeks to connect and comment on the fluidity of cultural boundaries, fighting against the prejudices against multi-ethnicity.

His work has gained recognition on the international stage, including being part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Sekajugo reflects on this achievement: ‘It’s not even about the prestige …—it’s all about sharing the African story, this story that we need to tell ourselves.’

His creative process involves working on multiple pieces simultaneously, constantly comparing and contrasting ideas to explore the broader themes that shape his art. Ultimately, he aims for his work to resonate with everyone: ‘It doesn’t matter where you’re from, where you work, what age you are, what color you are. I want every single person to understand our story and understand what my work represents.’

Contributors: Nneoma Okorie, Abdelrahiem Faisal (aka Rahiem Shadad), Sarah Abdu Bushra (Worldmaking within Politics of Sight and Space), Nicole Remus (In conversation with Collin Sekajugo)