Gender: Male

Talent Area: Traditional dancer, Instrumentalist

Family Background

Julius was born in Mityana District (Central Uganda). His early childhood was marked by hardship; at the age of eight, he was forced out of his home by his stepmother and ended up living on the streets of Kampala. To survive, Julius worked as a hawker, often going without food and sleeping on verandas. Despite these challenges, he was determined to continue his education and, with support from the Katwe Youth Development Association, completed his O-level education. However, when the association went bankrupt, Julius was forced to abandon school and return to street life.

How Rockies Organization Stepped In

Julius’s turning point came when a friend from Katwe, a suburb of Kampala city, introduced him to Rockies Organization. Drawn by his love for dance and music, Julius joined Rockies and found a place where he could nurture his talents and rebuild his life. Through Rockies, he gained skills, mentorship, and opportunities that rekindled his hope for a better future. Julius is being supported to further his education so as to be able to realize his aspiration of becoming a Software Developer.

Talent, Uniqueness & Achievements

Julius is a skilled dancer and instrumentalist. He prides himself in playing Mujaguzo drums, a tenor bow harp and other traditional percussion instruments. He is also a capable dancer with a mastery in traditional dances such as Ekizino and Runyege-Ntogoro (Western Uganda), Kadodi (Eastern Uganda), and Larakaraka (Northern Uganda)

Over the years, Julius has grown into anastitute leader of his peers. He led the Make Them Smile concerts for three years and was a key member of Rockies, recognized as Uganda’s best traditional dance troupe. Julius has also represented Uganda internationally, including at performances in India, where he interacted with artists from diverse global cultures. Currently he is a Program Supervisor within the organization.

Aspirations

Julius aims to become a Software Developer while continuing to grow in the performing arts. His vision is to create technologies that support artists and inspire others who, like him, have overcome adversity.

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