Betty Manyolo

Estella Betty Babirye Nakayemba Manyolo was born in 1938 in Kampala, Uganda. Known as Betty Manyolo, she was a Muganda, and one of ten children. Her middle name Babirye indicates that she was the elder of twins, it being a traditional name given to the older female twin. Twins were considered a blessing in Buganda and she spent her school holidays at the palace of King Muteesa II, where twins took on ceremonial roles in the palace.^[2] Her older brother inspired her to study art.^[1]

Manyolo studied at Gayaza High School, earning a Junior Secondary School Certificate in 1953 and an Overseas School Certificate from Cambridge University through the school in 1955.^[2] She graduated from the Margaret Trowell School of Fine Art at Makerere College in 1960 with a diploma in fine arts.^[1]

Manyolo's work was deeply inspired by Ugandan culture and folklore.^[3][1]

In 1961, Cecil Todd from Makerere University took some of Manyolo's pieces to New York, and her works were added to the Harmon Foundation touring collection, eventually being donated to Fisk University in 1991.

Manyolo illustrated the book Awo olwatuuka in 1961.^[4] She later worked as a teacher in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and travelled to France, having learned to speak French.^[2]

Between 1973 and 1977, she worked as an artist for the Ugandan Health Ministry in Entebbe, designing imagery for the Department of Public Health and Hygiene.^[2] After fleeing political unrest, she worked as an Art Design Supervisor for the Nigerian Television Authority until 1989, before returning to Uganda.^[2]

• 
  African Fable^[5]
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  Cattle People^[6][7]
• 
  Death in the Forest^[8]