Gender: Male

Talent Area: Traditional Dance and Instrumentalist

Family Background

Swabul Kitonto was born and raised in Nakisenyi Village, located in Iganga District, Eastern Uganda. He grew up in a large extended family of 17 members, under the care of his maternal grandparents. With no formal employment or steady income, his grandparents struggled to meet the basic needs of the family — let alone pay consistent school fees for all the children under their care.

In the face of these challenges, they leaned on tradition and creativity. Recognizing Swabul’s interest in rhythm and melody, his grandparents trained him in playing traditional Ugandan musical instruments from a young age. Their foresight paid off: his musical talent earned him a bursary in lower primary, allowing him to study free of charge until he completed Primary Seven.

His skill continued to open doors, and he received another bursary to attend secondary school up to Senior Four. But after completing O-Level, the opportunities ran dry. Without sponsorship or resources, Swabul’s journey seemed to stall — until Rockies Organization stepped in.

How Rockies Organization Stepped In

In February 2023, determined not to abandon his education or talent, Swabul approached Rockies Organization seeking an opportunity to join the program. During a rigorous skills-based interview, he demonstrated exceptional competence in traditional dance and instrumental performance, alongside a strong work ethic and eagerness to learn.

Rockies Organization accepted him and enrolled him at Emirates Secondary School, where he successfully completed his A-Level education in 2024. Building on this achievement, Swabul is currently pursuing a Diploma in Catering and Hotel Management at Copenhagen International Institute, while continuing to actively develop and perform his cultural talents.

Talent, Uniqueness & Achievements

Swabul is a highly versatile performer known for precision, discipline, and deep cultural awareness. He is proficient in a wide range of traditional Ugandan dances, including Ekitaguriro, Kinyarwanda, Runyege–Ntogoro, Ekizino dances from Western Uganda; Kadodi from Eastern Uganda; and Larakaraka from Northern Uganda, among others

In addition to dance, Swabul is an accomplished instrumentalist with mastery of several traditional instruments, including the flute, tube fiddle, xylophones, solo, rhythm & tenor adungu and Traditional drums.

His rare ability to excel in both dance and instrumental performance makes him a valuable asset to the troupe and a strong role model for younger members.

Aspirations

Swabul aspires to become a businessman committed to creating employment opportunities for young people in Uganda. He is particularly interested in entrepreneurship that integrates culture, hospitality, and education, to empower the youth while preserving cultural heritage.

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