Gender: Male

Talent Area: Dance, Playing Music Instruments

Family Background

Bernard was born and raised in Kinantaama Village, Kaliro District, in the Eastern Region of Uganda. He grew up in a large family of eleven members, comprising two parents and nine children. The family’s sole source of income was subsistence agriculture, which made it difficult for the parents to meet the basic needs and educational requirements of all their children.

Bernard was introduced to music at a very young age by his uncles, who were members of a local cultural troupe. Through their guidance, he began learning to play traditional musical instruments, and his talent quickly became evident. Despite the family’s financial struggles, Bernard’s skills proved valuable; in Primary Three, he earned his first bursary due to his ability to play musical instruments, helping him remain in school.

How Rockies Organization Stepped In

In December 2017, Bernard joined Rockies Organization during a recruitment drive conducted in the Busoga Region. He was recommended by his uncle, who recognized that Bernard’s talent development had reached its limits at the local level and that he needed advanced training, broader performance platforms, and greater exposure – resources that were beyond the family’s means at the time.

Bernard joined Rockies while in Senior Two. As with other beneficiaries of the organization, he was enrolled at Mutundwe High School, where he completed his O-Level studies. He later proceeded to St. Andrew’s College, Ssanda, where he successfully completed Senior Six.

Bernard is currently (2025) enrolled at Ndejje University, pursuing a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Alongside his studies, he remains actively involved in performance and has grown into one of the trainers mentoring younger performers who joined Rockies after him.

Talent, Uniqueness & Achievements

Bernard is a highly versatile performer with proficiency in both traditional and modern instruments. He plays a wide range of traditional instruments, including xylophones, bow harp, tube fiddle, thumb piano, flute, and drums. He is also skilled in playing jazz drums and is currently expanding his musical range by learning the piano, guitar, and saxophone.

In dance, Bernard is proficient in several traditional styles, including Ekitaguriro, Ekizino, Runyege–Ntogoro, Kadodi, and Larakaraka.

Aspirations

Bernard aspires to establish a tour and travel company where he can apply his academic training in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Beyond this, he dreams of setting up an education fund to support talented but disadvantaged children across Uganda. He plans to use part of the profits from his tour and travel business, alongside funds mobilized from other sources, to ensure the fund has a meaningful and lasting impact.