• Batalo East Festival 2025 celebrates 11 years of cultural preservation and traditional–urban dance fusion.
  • Features over 100 performers from Uganda and abroad, plus the launch of the KUHAMAHAMA Art Movement Book and EP.
  • Event takes place on 13th December 2025 in Butaleja, with free entry and community-wide participation.

The Batalo East Dance Festival is set to return for its 11th Edition on 13th December 2025, celebrating more than a decade of cultural preservation, artistic innovation, and the fusion of traditional and urban dance. What began in 2013 at the National Theatre has evolved into one of Uganda’s most influential intergenerational cultural festivals, reaching over 1,000 young performers, educators, cultural practitioners, and international guests.

For eleven years, Batalo East has created a dynamic space where ancestral traditions meet contemporary creativity. Through dance training, theatre productions, community work, and cultural documentation, the festival continues to safeguard indigenous knowledge while empowering emerging artists to lead and innovate.

Building on the momentum of the 2023 and 2024 editions, which saw widespread community participation across regions, the 2025 festival will continue spotlighting Uganda’s rich cultural diversity. This year’s showcase welcomes more than 100 performers from Butaleja District, Kampala, Jinja, and guest artists from Switzerland and Congo.

Special Launch: KUHAMAHAMA Art Movement Book & Music EP

A major highlight of the 2025 festival is the launch of the KUHAMAHAMA Art Movement Book, a historic documentation of the cultural wealth of Butaleja. The publication captures Bunyole dances, traditional instruments, music, clan heritage, myths, spiritual practices, and innovative fusion techniques developed through Batalo East.

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  • Writer: Roland Byagaba
  • Editor: Mable Amuron

The festival will also preview the upcoming Kuhamahama EP, recorded in Kaberamaido District, featuring authentic rhythms and instruments from the Kumam culture under the Kuhamahama Art Movement initiative.

  • 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” (Congo)

  • Choreography: Lumina Dance Company
  • Performers: Kashani Sumaili Guelord & Romain Miruho

Common Ground – Afrique Arts Troupe (Kampala)

  • Choreography: Agaba Bob Mathias & Nalumu Justin
  • Music Composition: Mugenyi Keith Divine
  • Performers: Mugenyi Keith Divine, Agaba Bob Mathias & Nalumu Justine

Etamiiro Lukiiko – Street Dance Force Crew Uganda (Jinja)

  • Concept & Choreography: Elvis Elasu (Levy)
  • Performers: Kasoga Winnifred, Bwambale Shafik & Walusansa Derickson

MANLY (Jinja)

  • Choreography & Performance: Elasu Elvis (Levy)

Same Love (Switzerland)

  • Choreography: Muhammed Kaltuk
  • Performers: Laila Gonzalez, Walusansa Derickson, Ally Best, Bwambale Shafik, Nambooze Haula, Naggita Martha, Katerega Umar, Twinomujuni Ivan, Kawesa Shanta & Tumwebaze Daphne
  • In collaboration with: Soul-Xpressions

Event Details

  • Date: 13th December 2025
  • Time: 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM
  • Venue: Batalo East Creative Center, Kachonga – Bufujja Town Council, Mumayinja / Butaleja District
  • Entry: FREE & open to all ages
  • Sponsor: Stichting DOEN