Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) is a voluntary non-profit organization that started in 2006 out of the belief that hip-hop can be used as a tool to engage, empower and uplift individuals and communities. The organization’s mission is to engage young people and adults in elements of the Hip-hop culture to promote education, positive social change, social responsibility and to build leadership and life skills.
BPU promotes the importance of both formal and non-formal education and advocates for people's access to both. Through its free multiple weekly sessions, community outreaches and other regular programs, it serves to teach people dance, rap, public speaking, beat-boxing (vocal percussion), leadership skills, visual arts and how to pass on those skills to others.
Film discussion moment. Source: Drichiru Key
On 9th December 2023, Breakdance Project Uganda held a soulful and uplifting 3-hour evening event in the Conference Room of Sharing Youth Centre, Nsambya, Kampala, Uganda from 6PM – 9PM. The center is located along Ggaba Road in the outskirts of Kampala City overlooking the downtown and uptown Kampala. In addition to the screening of the international award-winning documentary film “Bouncing Cats”, there was a discussion plus performances and presentations by Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU). It was an invite and reservation only event due to the limited available space.
Entrance to the "Bouncing Cats" film screening. Source: Drichiru Key
Abramz says that, "since 2007, BPU has been running a successful and impactful school sponsorship program, through which many young people have been supported with school fees and other forms of support BPU has worked with community centers, NGOs, schools (local & international), arts organizations, prisons (juvenile & adult), festivals, rehabilitation centers, foster homes, universities, embassies, commercial companies, among others, in different regions of Uganda and other parts of the world."
At the entrance of the event, pictures drawn by the members of the visual arts class welcomed the guests. Close to this was a guest table where we were asked to identify ourselves and given name tags. In attendance were the general public, well-wishers, friends, members from partner organizations, and both current and former members of Breakdance Project Uganda. The indoor activities kicked off with the screening images of some of the past BPU activities in Nsambya, Kisenyi, Gulu and Luzira Prisons. The official screening of the Bouncing Cats documentary film started at around 7:30PM
Artworks from the Breakdance Project Uganda visual arts class displayed at the entrance. Source: Drichiru Key
Bouncing Cats is a 2010 documentary film written and directed by Australian-American director and photographer Nabil Elderkin. The film follows the efforts of Abraham "Abramz" Tekya and Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU) to use dance to empower youth in Uganda. The film is a testimony of Crazy Legs of legendary Rock Steady Crew and his experiences in the BPU program. The film features narration by Common and additional interviews with Mos Def, will.i.am and K'Naan. Also appearing in the film is Okot Jolly Grace, whose guidance enabled the filmmakers to see and understand the plight of children in northern Uganda. This film was produced by Redbull Media House.
Bouncing Cats Film Screening. Photo by Drichiru Key
The film tells the story of one man's attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda using the unlikely tool of hip-hop with a focus on b-boy culture and break-dance. Abraham "Abramz" Tekya, a Ugandan b-boy and an AIDS orphan creates a free workshop teaching youth b-boy culture to 300 disenfranchised kids living in precarious conditions in Kampala in 2006, and in Gulu in North Uganda.
Abramz says continues to say that, "Crazy Legs received an invitation from me to teach b-boy classes in Uganda. He joined the program and was inspired by the passion for Hip-hop by the kids who enrolled in it. Bouncing Cats follows me, Crazy Legs, and Breakdance Project Uganda on a journey to use Hip-hop culture for positive social change." According to the film's director, Nabil Elderkin, Bouncing Cats refers to the sound made by the kids in Uganda when they have no access to a boombox. They use “bouncing cats, baboons and cats” in repetition to create their own beat.
The film screening took 1hr 15mins and after we treated to a surprise live zoom discussion with the film director, Nabil Elderkin. He shared his experiences and what inspired him to visit Uganda and take on this film project. He was fully immersed in this film to see that it becomes a success and inspires people worldwide. He came for more than just a film, he wanted to see lives changed. It's now 13 years down the road and the film is still impactful to society. You can’t fail to become emotional during or after the screening.
Open discussion with the film director Nabil Elderkin. Photo by Drichiru Key
We also had testimonies from former members, renown photographer Kibuuka Mukisa, and Esther, who’s currently a teacher, and they shared the impact of the organization on their lives and career paths. The discussion was moderated by Abraham “Abramz” Tekya, the founder & director of Break-dance Project Uganda who was also the master of ceremony for the evening. It ended with an open Q&A session.
After the film discussion we moved outside to the shade to attend the last activity. We were wonderfully entertained by some of the members of Breakdance Project Uganda in dance, beat-boxing and poetry performances to crown up the evening.
Outdoor performance by some of the members of Breakdance Project Uganda. Source: Drichiru Key
Awards
- - In April 2010, the film won the "Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking" award at Newport Beach Film Festival.
- - In September 2010, it won "Best Documentary Feature" at the Urbanworld Film Festival, a leading showcase for urban, ethnic, and multicultural cinema.
- - Also in September 2010, it won an "Audience Favorite" award at DocUtah (Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival).
- - And lastly in December 2010, it won the Bahamas International Film Festival Audience Award for “Best Feature Documentary.”
- - The Bouncing Cats story has been covered by The Redbulletin, Documentary Channel, CNN, Huffington Post, National Geographic, Voice Of Africa, The Grammy Museum, The Africa Report, BBC, Okay Africa, The Daily Monitor, Africanhiphop, College Times, WIRED, Letterboxd, Film Museum-Postdam, among others.
Some of the Breakdance Project Members and guests after the outdoor performance. Source Drichiru Key