In the small village of Kigulu in Iganga District, Mzee Shadrack Waiswa saw something many others overlooked – talent among the young people of his community. For years he had mastered the rhythms and movements of Kisoga cultural music and dance, and he believed that these traditions could do more than preserve culture. They could create opportunity.

Determined to pass these skills on to the next generation, he founded Nkalu Talented Artists. His vision was simple but powerful: if young people in his community could develop their cultural talents, they would not only preserve their culture but also open doors to education, exposure, and brighter futures.

That vision emerged in a community facing significant challenges. Many families struggled with deep poverty, and keeping children in school was often difficult. Cultural performance was one of the few resources the community could draw upon. By training young people in dance and music, Mzee Waiswa hoped they could use their talents to access opportunities such as school bursaries and performance engagements.

Yet sustaining the troupe proved challenging. Running a community troupe required resources that were often beyond reach, and competing with larger, well-established regional and national troupes made it even harder to attract opportunities. Even when some young performers managed to secure bursaries through their talent, those opportunities were often short-lived and unreliable. At times, it seemed as though the effort to build a pathway for the community’s youth might not succeed.

Then a new opportunity emerged.

In 2016, Mzee Waiswa learned about Rockies Organization, which was recruiting talented young performers from Busoga region. Encouraged by the possibility, he began connecting some of his most dedicated trainees to the program. What followed transformed not only individual lives but the hopes of the entire community.

Over the years, more than ten young people from Mzee Waiswa’s troupe have joined Rockies programs. Through this partnership, they have received advanced training in dance and music, expanding their repertoire to include cultural performances from across Uganda. Beyond the arts, they have also been supported to remain in school, acquire practical vocational skills, and receive mentorship in discipline, leadership, and personal development.

For Mzee Waiswa, the difference has been profound. While some groups once viewed his troupe as competition, Rockies approached him differently. “Many troupes saw us as rivals and could not support us,” he recalls. “But Rockies saw us as partners.”

That partnership has helped transform the role of the Nkalu Talented Artists within the village. What began as a small effort to preserve culture has gradually become a pathway through which young people gain education, exposure, and new opportunities beyond their community.

Today, the impact extends far beyond the original group of dancers. Families who once struggled to imagine a future for their children now see real possibilities. Young people continue to train, inspired by those who have gone before them. And in the heart of the community, Mzee Waiswa’s vision continues to grow – showing how cultural heritage, when nurtured and supported, can become a powerful engine for community transformation.