Ndere trots to the US

By Jean-Marie Nsambu NDERE Troupe is on a tour in the US aimed at performing traditional music and dances of Uganda, which will be recorded for universities in the US. Stephen Rwangyezi, founder and director of the troupe said this is the first time ever, for the troupe to perform in America. He said while there, a movie War Stories, shot at Nakasongola and starring Ndere actors, will also be launched in New York. The movie is based on the situation in northern Uganda. Rwangyezi revealed that the film was sponsored by Unicef and produced by the Hallmark International. The troupe will spend two days from May 12, in studios, recording music for the movie, after a series of school concerts and workshops. Rwangyezi said the functional cultural performers and promoters will do a concert for children in the State of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia at the Annenberg Centre, which organises children-based festivals for the community. He said it is important that they inform the world about what is actually on the ground in Uganda. "We want to overturn the tainted picture of many of those who carry our flag requesting for funds, thinking that it is only by portraying the situation negatively, that we would attract sympathy." He revealed that before returning from the US, Ndere Troupe will perform and educate audiences at Brooklyn Academy in the opera houses, until the end of May. Ends