Growing up in the crowded slums of Katwe in Kampala, Abdul Katongole learned early that survival required determination. Raised by a single mother alongside three siblings, he watched her struggle daily to provide for the family through small-scale trading. Their home was a single room, and the little income she earned was rarely enough to meet basic needs. Paying school fees was often a challenge, and the future seemed uncertain.

At just 10 years old, Abdul made a difficult decision that would shape the course of his life. In search of stability and a chance to continue his education, he left home and began staying at a nearby church. Life was not easy. To support himself and remain in school, he took on small jobs such as hawking tea leaves and selling grasshoppers in the local markets. The work was tiring, but Abdul remained determined to keep studying. Through resilience and persistence, he stayed in school and eventually completed his A-Level education in 2015.

After finishing school, Abdul turned to acrobatics as a way to survive. He had natural athletic ability and quickly realized that performing could help him earn some income. However, without formal training or professional guidance, his early artistic journey lacked direction. He performed wherever opportunities appeared, – sometimes as a solo act and other times with small informal groups that came together temporarily for shows. While the talent was there, the pathway to turning it into a real career was not yet clear.

That turning point came in 2017 when Abdul met Bantu Cultural Troupe (then Rockies Troupe) from Rockies Organization during a performance. What struck him immediately was their discipline, professionalism, and the creativity they brought to cultural performance. Inspired by what he saw, Abdul approached the troupe and asked to join. And indeed, he was accepted.

At Rockies, Abdul found more than just a place to perform. He discovered mentorship, structure, and a supportive environment that helped him refine his craft. Through training and collaboration, his acrobatic skills began to flourish. His presence also brought a new dynamic to the troupe’s performances, as acrobatics started to be fused with traditional dance to create unique and captivating stage productions.

Equally important was the mentorship he received beyond the stage. At Rockies, Abdul was guided on how to plan for the future, set personal and professional goals, and manage his earnings wisely. For the first time, he began to see that performance could be more than a way to survive. “Before joining Rockies, I was performing just to survive,” Abdul recalls. “But the mentorship I received helped me understand that my talent could become a real career.”

In 2019, that vision became reality when, with a recommendation from the troupe, Abdul secured a contract in Taiwan as a fitness and entertainment animator. The opportunity marked a major turning point in his career, opening doors to international exposure and new professional experiences. Since then, Abdul has performed in several countries including Vietnam, the Maldives, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, captivating audiences with his energy, discipline, and remarkable acrobatic talent.

As his career grew, Abdul also began thinking about the future beyond performance. Drawing on the lessons of discipline and entrepreneurship he had learned along the way, he started building his own businesses. Today, he runs DODO Tents, a company that makes, sells, and rents tents; Afririse Real Estates, which deals in property; Afririse Financial Solutions, offering mobile banking and financing services; and DD Entertainment, a creative arts company.

For Abdul, success has always meant lifting others along the way. One of his proudest achievements has been supporting his mother, who sacrificed so much during his childhood. Using income from his work, he built a residential house and rental units for her. He has also helped her start small livestock projects with cows, goats, and chickens, , creating a reliable source of income and ensuring she has a sustainable livelihood. “My biggest joy is seeing my mother live comfortably today,” Abdul says. “That is something I always dreamed about when life was difficult.”

Abdul’s journey from the streets of Katwe to international stages and entrepreneurship shows what can happen when talent meets mentorship and opportunity. His story reflects the heart of Rockies Organization’s work: nurturing talent, building life skills, and empowering young people to transform their talents into lasting opportunity, leadership, and self-reliance.