Kachonga · Butaleja District
Batalo East Creative Center
Our home in Eastern Uganda, dedicated to the youth of Butaleja.
The center
A hub for talent development, cultural preservation, intergenerational dialogue, and social and economic growth through the performing arts.
In numbers
A stage for Butaleja
The story so far
From a hillside to a home
Built into the rocks of Kachonga, the center opened its doors with the festival — and has filled with dancers ever since.
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2023The center opens
The 9th Batalo Dance Fest opens the amphitheatre in Kachonga — 102 performers and about 3,500 people.
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2024A decade of the festival
The 10th edition brings artists from Butaleja, Kaberamaido, Kampala and Rwanda to the stage.
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2025Every month, all year
The Equation jams fill the amphitheatre with children, and the Kuhamahama book is launched at the 11th festival.
The place
Inside the center
Amphitheatre
Stone terraces built into the hillside around an open-air stage — home of the Batalo Dance Fest.
The stage
An open-air stage with a truss rig for lights and sound, framed by the rocks of Kachonga.
The ground
Open space for jams, classes and rehearsals — where the children of Butaleja dance every month.
What happens here
A year at the center
Save the date
Coming up at the center
- TBADec 2026
Open to you
Use the center
Troupes, schools, teachers and visiting artists are welcome. Tell us what you have in mind.
Rehearsals
A place for troupes and crews to practise and prepare shows.
Workshops & classes
Bring a teacher or join ours — traditional and urban.
Residencies
Visiting artists stay, create and share new work with local dancers.
School & group visits
Watch, learn and dance with us for a day.
Book the center
Tell us what you have in mind
- What you would like to do — rehearsal, workshop, residency, school visit or event
- Your dates, and whether they are flexible
- How many people are coming
- Anything you need — sound, a place to stay, a teacher
Every booking helps keep the center open for the young people of Butaleja.
Photos
The center in pictures
Support
Help the center grow
Every gift keeps the doors open for the young people of Butaleja. These are the things the center needs next.
- Shade and seating
So audiences and dancers can stay through the heat of the day.
- Sound and lights
A rig of our own for jams, rehearsals and shows.
- A monthly jam
Teachers, drummers and water for one Equation session.
Visit us
Getting there
Opening hours
- Monday – Friday
- 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday
- Open for The Equation and events
- Sunday
- By appointment
Directions
- From Kampala
- By road through Jinja and Tororo towards Butaleja town, then on to Kachonga.
- From Mbale
- By road to Butaleja town, then on to Kachonga — ask for the Batalo East Creative Center.
Good to know
- Travel time
- Plan for about 5–6 hours by road from Kampala.
- Last stretch
- Boda bodas and taxis run from Butaleja town to Kachonga.
- Where to stay
- Guesthouses in Butaleja town, or hotels in Mbale.
- Bring
- Water, a hat and sun protection — the stage is open-air.
With thanks to our partners
- Urban Market
- Soul Expressions
- Tabu Flo Dance Co
- Your Partner
- Your Sponsor