Rwamwanja refugees brim with talent

James Rafiki, the overall winner put up a superb performance as a witchdoctor. COURTESY PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Potential. All is not lost when one is a refugee at Rwamwanja, Kamwenge District, writes BENJAMIN JUMBE.
  • Inspirational moment: Kenzo an award winning artiste, before performing a number of his songs, took off time to share his life experience saying although he started off as a street child, he was determined to make it in life and because of this, he is now a household name not only in Uganda but all over Africa.

When one talks about a refugee settlement in Uganda, many people would imagine a place full of depressed, hopeless and non-productive people.
However, if you were in Rwamwanja refugee settlement in Kamwenge District recently you would have your perception towards refugees changed . The settlement hosts more than 70,000 refugees with majority from the Democratic Republic of the Congo .

Showcase
The Lutheran World Foundation, one of the partner organisations working in the settlement to support the refugees organised a talent search for those between 15-24 years, who are not in school.
This competition attracted several of the Congolese teenagers and youth refugees to exhibit various talents and skills and for months tried to perfect their skills before the grand finale with 11 finalists identified from various pre-competitions. Representatives from the UNHCR, Tooro kingdom, government representatives and area local leaders attended.
Eleven finalists who had been identified from various pre-competitions last month strutted the red carpet with celebrity treatment at Nkoma Primary School playground in Rwamwanja. Traditional performances of a local dance group amidst a thunderous applause and ululations from the ecstatic expectant audience took centre stage.
The contestants, who were fighting to be among the top six to land a chance for skills development and training in Kampala, showcased a wide selection of artistic performances, including singing, rapping, dance, fashion ,drama and sports.
James Rafiki, the overall winner, who put up a superb performance as a witchdoctor, awed the judges and the audience.
He came on stage with fetishes, dressed in animal skin with a cloud of smoke above his head.
Zubert Mazuku, 20, fondly known as “designer” by his fellow refugees designed beautiful African wear in form of a jacket, shirt and dress with an accompanying headgear.
“The jacket I’m wearing and this shirt and dress my models are wearing, I made them. I love fashion and hope to become a big fashion designer,” Mazuku said.
Dorcas Bila, 19, who emerged the second best, made French cuisine with “ Macedoine De Fruit” for starters, a main course and dessert.
“I have passion for cooking and my desire is to work in some of the biggest hotels in the world. I also dream of starting up my own catering company,” Bila said.
Recording deal
Another captivating performance of the day was by Rivence Paluku “Rambo”,19, who show cased his talent in rapping by doing his own composition.
As he performed, Rambo engaged the crowd who nodded their heads to his rhythmic flow of lines.
Rambo’s good performance did not only earn him great applause from the judges and the audience, it clinched him a recording deal at Eddy Kenzo’s studios.
Eddie Kenzo, who was the guest artiste, appreciated him saying he was a superstar in the making.
“I have given you an opportunity to record one of your songs in my own studios with one of the best producers in town,” Kenzo said.
Kenzo, who grew up as a street child, encouraged the young people to be creative, and work towards developing their talents advising that from these gifts, they can earn big and become celebrities.
Inspirational moment
Kenzo an award winning artiste, before performing a number of his songs, took off time to share his life experience saying although he started off as a street child, he was determined to make it in life and because of this, he is now a household name not only in Uganda but all over Africa.
‘From the street I have managed to rise and win countless national and international awards from my music talent,” Kenzo said before adding “even the little English I’m speaking now I just learnt, because I didn’t go to school.”.
He also mentioned the number of accolades he has won locally and globally, including the BET award, encouraging fellow youth in Rwamwanja not to give up on life.
“You can make it to the top if you don’t give up,” Kenzo said.
The Lutheran World Foundation country representative Jesse Kamstra said the talent search was aimed at identifying and nurturing talent of the refugees.

He urged the refugee youth to explore their potential and tap in their God given talents so as to improve their livelihoods.
“There are various talents that you have which if exploited can change your entire lives,” Kamstra. He said all people do not have to be engaged in agriculture to become rich or become singers to become celebrities or make it in life.
“They all don’t have to be singers to make it, they can aspire to be the best cooks, actors, and sportsmen,” Kamstra said, adding that the best six out of the Rwamwanja settlement talent search are to be brought to Kampala for further skills development and training.
He promised that the organisation in partnership with United Nations High Commission for Refugees will continue organising and funding the talent search and competition, with plans to introduce similar contests in other refugee settlements in West Nile and other areas.
“In future we plan to get the best talent out of these refugee settlements and will have one grand competition In Kampala city,” Kamstra said.

Commendation
Speaking at the event Kamwenge District RDC Elijah Biryabarema hailed the Lutheran World Foundation for the initiative saying this would be able to address the issue of youth unemployment.
“In Uganda we are faced with a problem of unemployment but if these youth can discover and develop their talents, they will be able to use them to earn and make a living.” Biryabarema said.
He also called on all Ugandans to play a more active role in promoting and maintaining peace in the country and to also ensure that the insecurity which has forced many people to seek refuge in Uganda does not come to the country.
Biryabarema said everyone should pray for troubled neighbouring countries like Burundi, Congo and South Sudan to stabilise.