By BigEyeUg Team
The Batalo Dance Festival returns for its 11th Edition, celebrating over a decade of cultural preservation, artistic excellence, and the fusion of traditional and urban dance.
Since its first edition in 2013 at the National Theatre, the festival has grown into one of Uganda’s most vibrant intergenerational platforms, engaging more than 1,000 young performers, cultural practitioners, educators, and international guests.
For eleven years, the festival has created a powerful space where traditional and urban disciplines meet, strengthening identity, creativity, and community.
Through dance training, theatre performances, documentation and archiving, and community collaborations, Batalo East continues to safeguard indigenous knowledge while empowering young artists to innovate and lead.
Building on the achievements of 2023 and 2024, which featured high community engagement and cross-regional participation, the 2025 Edition continues to champion Uganda’s diverse clans and tribes.
This year’s festival welcomes over 100 performers from Butaleja District, Kampala, Jinja, and guest artists from Switzerland and Congo, showcasing traditional dances, urban creations, and live cultural music.
Special Launch: KUHAMAHAMA Art Movement Book & Music EP
The 11th Edition features the official launch of the KUHAMAHAMA Art Movement Book, a groundbreaking publication documenting the cultural richness of Butaleja. Bunyole dances, musical traditions, local instruments, clan heads, spiritual leaders, myths, and stories, as well as the fusion approaches pioneered by Batalo East.
● Writer: Roland Byagaba
● Editor: Mable Amuron
The festival will also introduce the upcoming Kuhamahama EP, recorded in Kabedamaido District, featuring authentic rhythms and instruments from the Kumam culture under the Kuhamahama Art Movement project.
Composer: Isaiah Mucunguzi
Featured Cultural Troupes
Bubbinge Bulala – Mukutu Dance (Led by Higenyi Paul)
Naweede Cultural Troupe – Nasaale Dance (Led by Naweede Bakali)
Suna Junior Troupe – Mabega Dance (Led by Suna E.)
Fumbo Dance Troupe – Fumbo Dance (Led by Kadiri Kungu)
Born To Be Bad – Urban Dance Showcase
Featured Performances:
- 100 MOTS “Sans Mots” From ( Congo)
Choreographed by: Lumina Dance Company
Performed by: Kashani Sumaili Guelord and Romain Miruho.
- Common Ground – Afrique Arts Troupe From (Kampala)
Choreographed by: Agaba Bob Mathias and Nalumu Justin
Music Composition by: Mugenyi Keith Divine
Performed by: Mugenyi Keith Divine, Agaba Bob Mathias and Nalumu Justine
- Etamiiro Lukiiko – Street Dance Force Crew Uganda (Jinja)
Concept & Choreography: Elvis Elasu (Levy)
Performed by: Kasoga Winnifred, Bwambale Shafik, and Walusansa Derickson
- MANLY (Jinja)
Choreographed by: Elasu Elvis (Levy)
Performed by: Elasu Elvis (Levy)
- Same Love From (Switzerland)
Choreographed by: Muhammed Kaltuk
Performed by: Laila Gonzalez, Walusansa Derickson, Ally Best, Bwambale Shafik, Nambooze Haula, Naggita Martha, Katerega Umar, Twinomujuni Ivan , Kawesa Shanta, and Tumwebaze Daphne.
In collaboration with: Soul-Xpressions
Event Details Date: 13th December 2025
Time: 3:00PM – 9:00PM
Venue: Batalo East Creative Center, Kachonga – Bufujja Town Council, Mumayinja / Butaleja District Entry: FREE & open to all ages.
We will keep you posted