Doreen Natukunda Opio says God inspires her artistic creativi

2026-03-29 - 19:15

As we arrive at Doreen Natukunda Opio’s art studio in Namugongo on a Friday afternoon, we are welcomed by a homely serenity and busy atmosphere. A boda boda rider is preparing to make an urgent delivery of one of her art pieces to a client, highlighting how in-demand her creative artwork is. Inside her compound, you are greeted by a wide, well-kept garden, a pigeon house alive with gentle coos, a garden table shaded by mature trees, and a pair of friendly dogs. Two houses share the compound, one is their residence, the other a dedicated studio. The beating heart of Natukunda’s creative universe. Both the interior and exterior of Art Kadowaz studio are adorned by captivating artworks ready for sale; various pieces engraved with Bible verses and abstract art, which immediately offer a glimpse into the kind of artist Natukunda is – bold, expressive, and deeply connected to her creative identity. One of Natukunda’s artworks Natukunda highlights that art and creativity come naturally to her, and she can make anything from jewellery, to wedding decorations, and outdoor art. “There was a gap in material decoration. People had nice homes, nice furniture, and other people were already doing all sorts of wedding decor. So, I thought I would come in and brighten up spaces. People had nice homes, nice furniture, but I felt they were missing that spark that would make their homes brighten up,” she told The Observer. Natukunda said she used to run her own art and crafts shop in Mbarara called Calabash from 2009, but when she moved to Kampala after getting married, she became a stay at home mum. But the business mind instilled in her by her parents would not shut up; so, she devised means of killing two birds with one stone. “Like, you see certain nice things on the internet. You wish you could [have] them, but nobody’s making them. You don’t know where to get them. And the few that are there are imported. So, I kept thinking, I wish I could make my own,” she said. She firmly believes her unique artwork is inspired by God and that first divine inspiration came during a Sunday service in 2013 at Watoto church, as children from the Sunday school dressed in a kitenge were making a presentation. “I was just sitting there enjoying their presentation, and I remember an idea came to my mind and I did an art piece the following day. I remember it was about the sermon stemming from Joshua 24:15, (as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord). I made the verse with sides engraved with a kitenge design based on what the children wore,” she said. The piece sold very fast. ODYSSEY TO BECOMING A FULLTIME CREATIVE ARTIST Natukunda continued to make a few art pieces which she would sell, but she was not thinking about it as a serious business. “You know how business starts? First you sell to your sisters, then your sisters’ friends, then the customers get finished. But for me Covid 19 was a game-changer that breathed new life into my creativity as an artist.” As the world slowed down and businesses shut down, the Covid period helped many people get to know about her art work through social media posts that her husband made. “Previously, my husband used to travel a lot. He was a briefcase guy Ever since Covid, he has sat down. He now works from home. And as you heard us at the beginning of this call, he is the manager and social media person. I am still trying to catch up on that,” she said. Soon, Natukunda was noticed by influential people with the likes of Robert Kabushenga and Asan Kasingye commending her work. With platforms like X, Instagram and Facebook giving her visibility, soon corporations were contacting her to create beautify their work spaces, and during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit, she delivered more than 50 artworks that were given to different heads of state. Natukunda also exports her art pieces to some East African countries. A DAY IN HER LIFE A typical day at Art Kadowaz studio starts with prayer led by Morning Dominion Hour, a 40-minute prayer led by Pastor Ben Nebechukwu, her spiritual father and someone she admires for his steadfastness. Natukunda then checks on the orders made by clients the previous day, and those on social media platforms, to see what to start working on using materials sourced locally, and others imported from South Africa, Kenya and Australia. “I struggled a lot with material when I had just begun. But over time, we have found ways, and we are still finding ways. Getting material is not easy. And that is what makes some of our work expensive,” Natukunda said. “Every project starts with an idea or concept that I visualize. Whether it is a parrot, monkeys, a sunset, or a Christian verse, the process starts with a mental image which is refined through research and I follow it up with prayer. It all begins with the mind, then to the graphics.” Once the graphic is ready, the artwork is printed then framed to suit the client’s request. Natukunda explains that for more complex pieces, materials such as wood are used. She highlights with the increase in orders from clients the art studio moved a step further by using advanced technologies which make the quality of their work precise and currently they are using 3D printers and lasers to cut material and engrave the different art pieces. CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL LIFE Natukunda was born in the early 1980s in Nairobi, Kenya, where her parents were working as teachers. Later, as Uganda stabilized politically, her family moved from Kenya to Mbarara and her parents could not continue working as teachers due to the low pay teachers earned. They instead transitioned into the business world, running a successful tailoring company called Jobe Fashions, which made uniforms for schools and sustained the family and put the children through school. Every morning, Natukunda remembers, her family would leave together for the shop and return in the evening, creating a routine that helped her build an entrepreneurial mindset. “We practically grew up in the family business; we spent school holidays working in the shop. My sisters and I helped with finishing up tasks like ironing, buttoning and packaging uniforms, which instilled in us a strong work ethic from an early age. My father (RIP) was very strict. He was industrious and discouraged idle behaviour like watching TV all day. He also imposed protective rules to keep his four-daughters focused and occupied and free from distractions especially from boys.” Their mother was skilled at making the uniforms and Natukunda credits her for her artistic and creative nature. Similarly, her brother also has a unique skill in interior decoration through furniture he makes. Creativity runs in the family. Speaking about her education journey, Natukunda went to at Boma Primary School, Mbarara and for secondary education she was at Bweranyangi Girls School for both and O and A level, She joined Makerere University for a bachelor’s degree in Social Science, majoring in Social Administration. GROWTH, SYSTEMS, AND MENTORSHIP From a one-woman operation, Art Kadowaz now employs an administrative assistant and two operational staff, pays tax and regularly hosts interns from Kyambogo University, offering real-world creative industry experience. “A lot of creatives focus on producing art, but shy away from business structures. Growth requires systems, even if clients who knew you informally resist at first.” How she balances work with family time, Natukunda said the secret is in setting priorities. “It’s about saying this is what is important right now and I do that. I try as much as possible to be present when I’m supposed to be present. So, if I’m home and it’s time for the kids, it’s time for the kids. If I’m at work, I’m at work. And sometimes the two merge. Sometimes the kids are here, sometimes I’m home but working. I try as much as possible to strike a balance. I can’t say I’ve cracked it, but I try.” Despite her avoidance of mainstream art exhibitions, Natukunda hosts an event at her studio called “Chai and Art” where guests are invited and they are served tea, cookies and cake as an avenue to showcase her work in a laidback atmosphere that emphasizes appreciation of art over profit. ebenezernsubuga405@gmail.com