The Bavubuka Foundation was created by Silas Balabyekkubo (aka Babaluku), an award-winning musician, producer, community youth activist and social entrepreneur.  Also a founding member of Uganda’s legendary hip hop group, Bataka Squad, Silas is known for introducing Luga Flow to Uganda’s creative scene.  This unique and powerful style of positive Hip Hop music has inspired youth in Uganda to embrace and celebrate their native languages, culture and tradition. Silas is dedicated to changing lives and giving hope to young people; from the ghetto slums of Kampala to war torn Northern Uganda.   Through the Bavubuka Foundation Silas supports projects that are calling forth the spirit of Ugandan people in creative arts, youth empowerment, education, community development, sports, fashion, journalism, and community-building events.

Mission

The Bavubuka Foundation is a nonprofit organization that believes connecting youth with music and the arts can transform lives and unify diverse communities.
We are dedicated to creating spaces and educational programs that nurture and empower a new generation of young leaders, in Uganda and all of Africa, who will use their voices to communicate positive messages and affect positive change in their communities and the world. Each Bavubuka project incorporates reconciliation and peace building activities by using transformative art to cultivate personal empowerment within a united communal effort. Bavubuka provides Ugandan youth with the opportunity to gain new skills, bring their own creations to life and develop relationships that connect them to their immediate community, the larger Ugandan struggle, and a global peace building movement. We know that when youth in Uganda are provided with space, given full access to resources, empowered with education and encouraged to express their creativity; they have the zeal, will and power to build a greater community for a stronger Ugandan future.

Statement from Silas

Born and raised in Uganda for the first 12 years of my life, I remember the beauty of my country through the eyes of my childhood. While most people seem to know Uganda for its HIV epidemic, the abduction of child soldiers and its brutal political past, I have always known Uganda for its youthful untapped energy which gives me strength and inspires me to bring hope to a generation that has survived to tell its story. With 55% of its people under the age of 18, Uganda has the world’s youngest population; being aware of this statistic has kept me focused on creating an avenue for the voice of Ugandan youth to be heard.  Since 2005 I have spent much of my time engaging in dialogue with youth and elders of different communities both in the cities and the villages of Uganda; learning and documenting their truth, exchanging positive dialogue and creating the physical platforms needed to inspire solution-driven action concerning the future of young people in Uganda. The continued absence of opportunity in these communities is unacceptable, this pushes me to explore all mediums of expression in order to find ways to bridge the gap between the Ugandan youth and those in positions to facilitate the necessary change. I am inspired and motivated by the spirit of young Ugandans who through all situations have persevered, never giving up on their dreams and continuing to use all creative measures to survive. When I walk on the streets of Kampala or Gulu town I listen to men and women, young and old, who are concerned about the current conditions and the future for their children.  Their only hope is that someone will listen. In all my time spent working with youth from all different tribes, races, colors and backgrounds there is one consistent truth that echoes through their expressions;

“We want our voices to be heard.”

It is my belief that the potential for young people in Uganda and Africa is limitless if we listen to their truth and encourage self-liberating education. Only then will we see a generation of young men and women who pride themselves on the strength of their spirit, heritage, culture and tradition. The beauty of Uganda lies in the future of its youth. -More Music by Babaluku-

Meaning of Bavubuka

Bavubuka pronounced as “ba voo boo ka” is a Luganda word that means the youth.

PROJECTS

The Bavubuka Guitar Starz Project

This annual program, led by musician and renowned guitar technician Brian Gibney (REM, Ray Lamontagne) and partner Leah Nance, will engage participants in a two week long workshop where they will learn to play six to ten songs of their choice on acoustic guitars.  This program will conclude with a collabora