Wakiso Dance Kids bring ‘Kakalabanda’ to life at National Theatre
Kakalabanda, also known as Nkalabanda, is the mythical, ghostly skeletal creature said to roam school dormitories at night, frightening pupils, stealing their belongings and sometimes clipping their hair or nails. The folklore became particularly popular in Central Ugandan boarding schools during the 1990s.
A student jolts out of sleep after realizing a Kakalabanda must be lurking around the dormitory. Photo by Ignatius Kamya
Wakiso Dance Kids brought the vibrant and haunting folklore of “Kakalabanda” to life at the Uganda National Theatre in Kampala on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Produced by Batálo East, the 60-minute dance theatre production blended traditional dance, contemporary and urban movement, theatre and music to retell one of Central Uganda’s enduring schoolyard legends.
Kakalabanda, also known as Nkalabanda, is the mythical, ghostly skeletal creature said to roam school dormitories at night, frightening pupils, stealing their belongings and sometimes clipping their hair or nails. The folklore became particularly popular in Central Ugandan boarding schools during the 1990s.
Performed by the Wakiso Dance Kids, the production uses Batálo East’s “Tradition Meets Urban” approach to give the old tale a contemporary feel while preserving its cultural roots. The production also seeks to bridge the generational gap by using dance, theatre and music to connect young audiences with stories from Uganda’s past.
The National Theatre performance was the first of two scheduled shows. The production will move to Kavumba Recreation Center in Wakiso on September 12, with the show running from 7:30pm to 8:40pm.
Beyond entertainment, Kakalabanda gives the young performers an opportunity to showcase their talent while introducing audiences to Uganda’s rich storytelling heritage through a fresh, youthful lens.
The production is expected to appeal to families, culture enthusiasts and theatre lovers interested in experiencing familiar Ugandan folklore reimagined by the next generation.