Gender: Female

Talent Area: Traditional Dance

Family Background

Born in Mbikko Trading Centre, Buikwe District, Praise was raised in a large extended family of nine members under the care of her single mother. Her mother, a petty trader with a small and unstable income, could not provide for the growing needs of the household.

When Praise was just four years old, she was sent to live with her maternal uncle in Mutundwe, Kampala City, to ease the burden on her mother. Her uncle generously took on the responsibility of raising and educating her and successfully supported her through Primary Seven which she completed in 2019. However, with his own family expanding and resources dwindling, he could no longer continue financing her education.

At school, Praise had been an active and enthusiastic member of the Performing Arts Club, and her talent in dance quickly became evident. Recognizing her potential and the threat of school dropout, her uncle approached Rockies Organization in search of an opportunity for Praise.

How Rockies Organization Stepped In

In 2020, Praise was introduced to the Rockies management team and impressed them with her exceptional dance skills and strong desire to continue learning. She was immediately welcomed into the program and enrolled in secondary school.

Today, Praise is in Senior Five at St. Andrew’s College, Ssanda, pursuing her Advanced Level education while continuing her intensive dance training under Rockies’ mentorship.

Talent, Uniqueness & Achievements

Praise is an exceptionally versatile and expressive dancer, proficient in a wide range of traditional dance styles, including Tamenha Ibuga, Irongo, and Nalufuka (Eastern Uganda); Adungu (West Nile); Ekizino, Ekitaguriro, and Kinyarwanda (Western Uganda); and Bakisimba, Nankasa, and Muwogola (Central Uganda). Her grace and discipline make her a standout performer within the troupe. She is known for her ability to lead and inspire younger performers during practice and stage work.

Aspirations

Praise has two major dreams: to become a film-maker and a software engineer. She is deeply inspired by the intersection of creativity and technology and sees these fields as vehicles to tell stories, solve problems, and influence change.

She hopes to one day produce culturally rooted Ugandan films and develop software solutions that bridge the digital divide for youth like herself.

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