“People Were Curious”: Underground Kampala Is Creating A Techno Culture In Uganda
In a country where facilities are scarce, Underground Kampala creates a haven for dedicated fans. Holding monthly pop-up parties in Kampala and other hidden corners of Uganda, the party is gradually building a movement.
"We created Rave to create a space for social connection and positive interaction, where attendees can immerse themselves in free space while shedding social pressures," says founder Richard O'Doi.
"For us, it means fear of sex, homophobia, aggression, racism, hope, just mutual understanding for self-expression."
It was slowly created in 2020, while in prison by his friend Richard on his birthday, after connecting techno parties and international DJs and DJs in Uganda. Led by Richard and many other DJs, audio professionals, lighting designers and producers, all bound by a common love of electronic music.
The party and the team behind it revolve around the love of artistic and esoteric values. "Kampala, especially in this kind of scene, is a bit difficult for creatives, some want to go to an event because it's popular or worry about how many people are there and forget that it's about the music."
READ NEXT: ANTI-MASS creates disruptive musical language
But Underground Kampala wants to move away from a commercial approach, embrace a do-it-yourself ethos and focus on the needs of its community. To provide dancers with a safe and secluded place to discover new music and build relationships, the parties are held in abandoned buildings, parking lots, lakes and other locations away from the city's main hospitality industry. The party does not want to protect gender, but ensures that this area is free from public perception and stigma.
Now the party is ready for a new stage. The group collaborates with outside techno artists and DJs and aims to create a permanent space to serve as a second home for their community. They are currently collecting money to update the foundation's equipment.
“Pop-up raves in different locations can be fun as well as empowering. You have to think about logistics because it is sometimes difficult to transport a lot of material and ensure that it is safe. Now we want a permanent place, ie: to be the first for techno in Kampala”.
We spoke to founder Richard Odo about the gig, how he chooses his motorbike locations, the stigma attached to Ugandan narratives and the international friendships forged on safari.
