About Us

Since 1984

We’ve been putting smiles on people’s faces for almost 40 years.

Ndere troupe was founded by Rwangezi Stephen in 1984 as a culural organisation for universal unity through music, dance and drama. The troupe is among over 1600 Uganda development theatre association groups entertaining and educating people through music , dance and drama.

The word ‘endere’ means ‘flute’, the Ndere Troupe therefore means Flute Troupe.

The flute was chosen as a symbol of beauty as it produced such beautiful and irresistable music which can be manipulated to express a range of emotions; from sorrow to joy and from love to loneliness. 

It also symbolises universal unity, all peoples of the world have a flute in their cultures. The flute is like the blood that flows in our bodies no matter our external difference. The Ndere Troupe prides itself on emphasizing commonalities and celebrating the rich differences. 

The Ndere Troupe is a cultural development that was founded in 1984 by Rwangyezi Stephen. 

Our History

1984
1984

Under the Mango Tree

Ndere cultural centre starts off under a mango tree when a choir master and his children agreed to create a performing group that would change the terrible image painted by colonialists that “traditional dances were evil and that whoever performed them would never see eye to eye with God”.

1986
1986

The rise at the grip of war

Ndere troupe rose at a difficult time in Uganda’s history when the northern part of the country was in a grip of violence and medieval war. Since it was Rwangezi’s talent was to play the flute and being that its the one that saved and educated him, He decided to name the group Ndere. The flute was also perceived as the most unifying musical instrument since it existed in every culture of the world.