Ssozi Brian Andrew, the last born in a family of 18 children, learned early what it meant to struggle. His parents, already retired by the time he reached primary school, could no longer afford his education by the time he was in Primary Four. With no savings, pensions, or investments to fall back on, they simply couldn’t keep up. But Brian had something powerful in his corner: talent.

Music, dance, and drama became Brian’s lifeline. Throughout his upper primary and secondary education, schools granted him bursaries in exchange for his performances. He supported himself by writing skits, staging plays, and selling tickets to fellow students - always sharing the little he earned with his team. This spirit of entrepreneurship, creativity, and community would go on to define his journey to this day.

By the time Brian completed Senior Four at Masaka Secondary School, he had lost both parents. o raise money for his A-Level studies, he secured a job as a news anchor at Radio Buddu, then a newly established station in Masaka City. He held the position for 2 years, until the then Minister of Information issued a directive requiring all radio presenters to possess at least a Diploma in Journalism – forcing him to leave the job after Senior Six. Determined to push forward, Brian took on casual labor and worked as a market vendor at Kibuye Market, saving every shilling he earned from selling polythene bags. His perseverance paid off in 2009 when he finally saved enough to enroll at St. Lawrence University.

Once there, Brian didn’t waste time. He formed a performing arts club under Nkobazambogo, a Buganda students’ cultural association, which soon emerged the best group at the university’s cultural festival that academic year. In his second year, he ran for Guild President - and won. Before his term ended, he was elected Chairperson of the Uganda Guild Presidents Association (GPAU), becoming a national voice for student leaders across the country.

It was during his nationwide travels that the bigger picture came into focus. Everywhere he went, Brian met incredibly talented youth - dancers, singers, drummers - who had no platforms, no guidance, and no means to nurture their gifts. He saw children dropping out of school in primary, girls being forced into early marriages, and young men giving up on life due to joblessness. The frustration was deep. The potential was vast. And it reminded him too much of his own journey.

So he made a decision.

With just 100,000 Ugandan Shillings (about $27 USD), he rented a small space at Nakivubo Settlement Primary School in Kampala City. He borrowed drums from a friend, who was then a custodian at St. Lawrence University, and invited four boys and three girls to join the rehearsals. They had no uniforms, no funds, and no certainty, but they had talent and hope. That was the beginning of Rockies Troupe, which later evolved into Bantu Cultural Troupe.

From those humble roots, Brian built a national nonprofit (Rockies Organization) that has educated and empowered hundreds of young Ugandans - through the performing arts, academic sponsorship, and life skills development. His dream now is to open a state-of-the-art Performing Arts School that will train, mentor, and uplift the next generation of visionaries in the cultural and creative sector in Uganda.

Today, Brian stands not just as a leader, but as a symbol of what’s possible when talent is believed in and opportunity is given. He is, in every sense, the rhythm behind Rockies Organization/Bantu Cultural Troupe.