Gender: Male

Talent Area: Traditional Dance

Family Background

John Paul Tumwesigye was born in Nyamitanga Village, located in Mbarara District in Western Uganda. He was raised by his paternal aunt in a household of six people. The aunt, though caring and supportive, had no formal employment and depended on occasional remittances from her sister abroad to support the family.

From a young age, John Paul struggled with school attendance due to frequent tuition shortfalls. He was often sent home for unpaid fees, missing crucial class time and falling behind. Despite these obstacles, his vibrant energy and passion for traditional dance stood out. However, his dream of developing his talent and continuing his education seemed unreachable until Rockies Organization stepped in.

How Rockies Organization Stepped In

In 2019, John Paul was recommended to Rockies by his uncle-in-law, who had seen his potential and wanted to help him grow. Upon joining, he immediately began receiving professional dance training from Bantu Cultural Troupe. Rockies also ensured he returned to school and kept up with his academic goals.

He is currently enrolled in Copenhagen International Institute of Catering and Hotel Management in Kampala, where he is in his first year of study — balancing his passion for the arts with training in a field he dreams of working in professionally.

Talent, Uniqueness & Achievements

John Paul is a charismatic dancer, with strong technical ability and a deep understanding of Uganda’s traditional dances. The dances he excels at include Ekizino, Ekitaguriro and Runyege-Ntogoro (Western Uganda), Kadodi (Eastern Uganda) and Larakaraka (Northern Uganda).

Aspirations

John Paul dreams of becoming a professional chef with international credentials. He envisions himself working in top kitchens around the world while also preserving and showcasing Uganda’s cultural heritage through culinary arts and performance.

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