Mukono, Uganda
MEET MOSES BYENTARO
A CRAFT PASSED THROUGH GENERATIONS
The first lessons came from his grandmother's backyard.
Moses Byentaro's introduction to pottery began as a child in rural Ibanda, Uganda, where he watched his grandmother shape clay by hand. He and his siblings would help her, making their own small creations from the material she worked with. Years later, while studying Ceramics Industrial Engineering, Moses found himself returning to those early experiences. What began as childhood curiosity eventually became a profession, connecting the knowledge passed down through his family with his own approach to contemporary ceramics.
FROM EARTH TO FORM
Nature is an endless source of ideas.
Moses draws much of his inspiration from the natural world, studying its shapes, textures, and proportions before translating his ideas into sketches. At his workshop, locally sourced clays are carefully selected and tested for strength and durability before being shaped on the potter's wheel. Each piece moves through several stages of drying, smoothing, decorating, burnishing, and firing, with different artisans contributing their expertise. The resulting ceramics are defined by sculptural forms, restrained finishes, and the subtle variations of working by hand.
A WORKSHOP BUILT ON OPPORTUNITY
The work of many hands, brought together through one craft.
Before establishing his ceramics workshop in 2016, Moses spent five years working as a social worker. His interest in community development remained central as he built his studio in Mukono, creating opportunities for local artisans to learn, work, and develop their skills. Today, his workshop supports a network of approximately 100 women artisans. As the business has grown, so has its capacity to provide meaningful employment and preserve practical knowledge. For Moses, the value of a handmade object extends to everyone involved in its creation.
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