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Batalo Dance Fest 2025 — Batalo East, Uganda

Batalo Dance Fest · 11th edition

Batalo Dance Fest 2025

“Traditional Meets Urban”: cultural preservation and innovation.

Date
13 December 2025
Time
3:00 to 9:00 PM
Venue
Batalo East Creative Center, Kachonga, Butaleja
Entry
Free, all ages

Review

The 11th edition brought more than 100 performers from Butaleja District, Kampala and Jinja, with guest artists from Switzerland and Congo: traditional dances, contemporary works, urban expressions and live music from the clans of Bunyole. Supported by Stichting DOEN.

On stage

The programme

  1. The Kuhamahama Arts Movement book
    Act 01

    Book launch

    The Kuhamahama Arts Movement book

    Documenting the culture of Butaleja: Bunyole musicians, music and dances, local instruments, clan heads and spiritual leaders, myths and stories, and the history of Batalo East and the Creative Center.

    Writer Roland Byagaba Editor | Mable Amuron

  2. Common Ground
    Act 02

    Afrique Arts Troupe · Kampala

    Common Ground

    Two characters in a Ugandan community where tradition and modernity meet. One embraces the modern world, the other holds to their culture, searching for a bridge between past and present.

    Choreography Agaba Bob Mathias & Nalumu Justine Music | Mugenyi Keith Divine

  3. Same Love
    Act 03

    With Soul-Xpressions

    Same Love

    An emotional case for acceptance, tolerance and empowerment that breaks down stereotypes and challenges gender roles, by Swiss choreographer Muhammed Kaltuk, with ten young dancers.

    Choreography Muhammed Kaltuk (Switzerland)

  4. Etamiiro Lukiiko (The Drunken Committee)
    Act 04

    Street Dance Force Crew Uganda

    Etamiiro Lukiiko (The Drunken Committee)

    A village once known for wisdom and strength is worn down by poor infrastructure, insecurity and a failing administration, until hard work no longer brings results.

    Concept & choreography Elvis Elasu (Levy) Music | Levyzm Sounds & Rayz Avenue

  5. Manly
    Act 05

    Solo

    Manly

    A solo on the silent burden placed on boys and men to fit rigid ideas of masculinity, revealing the person behind the “superhero mask”.

    Choreography & dance Elasu Elvis (Levy) Costume | Bwambale Shafik & Levy Elasu

Also on stage

Troupes and works

  • 100 Mots (Sans mots)Lumina Dance Company: a contemporary duet about silence
  • Bubbinge BulalaMukutu dance, led by Higenyi Paul
  • Naweede Cultural TroupeNasaale dance, led by Naweede Bakali
  • Suna Junior TroupeMabega dance, led by Suna E.
  • Fumbo Dance TroupeFumbo dance, led by Kadiri Kungu
  • Born To Be BadUrban dance showcase

Coming next

Batalo Dance Fest 2026

December 2026 — date coming soon · Batalo East Creative Center, Kachonga, Butaleja

See the festival

Support Batalo East

Every gift helps young Ugandan dancers learn their traditions, create new work and share it with the world.

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