James Isabirye

James Isabirye is a Lecturer at Kyambogo University specializing in Music Education. His teaching spans graduate courses like Psychological and Philosophical Foundations of Music Education and Music Curriculum Design, alongside undergraduate instruction in Music Appreciation and Ugandan Dance Skills. As a cultural revivalist and researcher, he focuses on indigeneity and decolonizing music education in formerly colonized societies.

• PhD in Music Education (Oakland University)
• Master of Arts in Music (Kyambogo University)
• Master of Education Policy (Kyambogo University)
• Bachelor of Education in Music (Kyambogo University)

His research integrates indigenous epistemologies with contemporary pedagogy, particularly through revitalization projects for Ugandan musical traditions including:

• Bigwala gourd trumpet heritage
• Entenga royal drums
• Naizungwe drum music

Publications highlight his expertise in:

• Decolonizing African higher education
• Indigenous learning processes
• Music as cultural healing mediation
• Digital preservation of traditional instruments