Uganda’s First DJ School Opens

By Joseph BatteLeave it to DJ Rota to set the pace and let others follow. He put himself in the centre of attention as the first Ugandan DJ to use a computerised disco system. Now he has come full circle with the launch of the first DJ school in the country. The school, located at Ivory Tower, started last week with seven students. He is teaching them the latest technology of DJ-ing using the latest disco software on the computer.“By setting up this school, I hope to help Ugandan DJs acquire skills on the computer so that they are able to keep up with the 21st Century. Computers are taking over playing music on radio and in discotheques. The days of the CDs and analog tapes are numbered,” said DJ Rota.Apart from teaching the new technology, Rota says he intends to unite Ugandan DJs. Our fellow DJ abroad are united, but this has never been the case in Uganda. Everybody seems to be doing his own thing.He added that by setting up this school, he would be helping to create jobs and giving the DJs self-esteem.“Formerly DJs were regarded as school dropouts. Now they will be able to stand tall and prove that they at least know the computer,” Rota said.He added that they will learn wiring up of a disco system, thus saving the proprietors of disco equipment millions of shilling. “Usually, DJs are hired to wire up expensive equipment. In most cases they just end up blowing it up because they don’t know how to go about it,” Rota says. For more information about the DJ school, you can also visit his web site, www.djrota.8m.com.“I request all owners of discotheques to send their DJs for lessons. We also have computers for sale. Apart from the disco software, we are already loaded with music. This will save anyone who purchases them from the hassle of buying and carrying bulky CDs and tapes.”DJ Sweet from Mbale Resort Village, one of the pioneer students of the school, advised his fellow DJs to swallow their pride and come to learn the new technology.DJ Dan, who is also a student of Multitech Acountancy School on Bombo Road, said he was in favour of the new technology because everything has been simplified. You choose a song and mix it in less than 10 seconds. By opening this school DJ Rota has done a very commendable job. He is promoting local talent.”Kibuule Francis, whose family runs a mobile disco, praised the computerised disco soft programme as cost-effective.“You don’t have to buy CDs. Formerly we have been learning the art of DJ-ing from our friends. What Rota has done is to formalise DJ-ing as a full course,” he says.Ends