Government to collaborate with Ghetto Kids 

Following their thrilling performance at UK reality TV show Britain’s Got Talent (BGT) which saw them reach the finale two Sundays ago, the Ghetto Kids received a heroic welcome back home last Tuesday.

Appearing on the show for the first time, the children wowed the judges with their creative dance strokes which earned them a golden buzzer from judge Bruno Tonioli, that immediately projected them to the semifinals, from which they were able to advance to the finals on May 31.

The group, however, finished in sixth place as the grand prize of Euro 250,000 went to Norwegian comedian Viggo Venn. During a dinner organized for them by Uganda Tourism Board (UTB), the board together with the ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities pledged to collaborate with the Ghetto Kids in showcasing Uganda’s tourism potential.

This, after the group’s manager Daouda Kavuma said how frustrated he has been whenever he and the children try shooting videos from various landmarks and monuments in Uganda.

“We have always wanted someone in government to recognize and appreciate what we are doing. What we would want is to have a green card so that we can easily access national parks and create some content from there. We have always wanted to promote Uganda in other aspects other than the ghetto, but we have to go through a lot of protocol to shoot in certain places,” Kavuma said.

He noted that an opportunity to work with the ministry and UTB comes in handy because they will finally be able to access different tourist attractions around the country through which they can promote Uganda and its beautiful nature, which has always been the group’s dream.

Lily Ajarova, the CEO of UTB, commended the children for helping the board with the responsibility of promoting and marketing Uganda and committed to working with them whenever they are going to perform at global events so that they come up with well-packaged messages of promoting the country.

“[We will ensure] that when they are going for these events, we give them well-packaged messages they can use, which are very specific to the different things Uganda has to offer like the mountain gorillas. The preparation of them going on the global stage is something we need to do together so that some of those messages come out clearer on what the country has to offer,” Ajarova said.

Vivian Lyazi, the assistant commissioner of Tourism at ministry of Tourism, said: “Your achievement is not small because it put Uganda on the international stage and you showcased what Ugandans really are – happy and hospitable people – and I am sure we are likely to see more people come to see where the Ghetto Kids come from. We pledge to collaborate in exposing the beauty Uganda has to offer, through you.”

Not emerging as winners was not a big deal for Kavuma, who said that they did not participate in the show expecting to win the money but, rather, to make history that the Ghetto Kids were also part of BGT and gain more exposure for the children.

“Reaching the finals was a big achievement and a win for us, because there were very many talented children, men and women in different categories. It was such a good experience and we got to learn a lot of things from them like being on time and doing things to perfection. We were also surprised at the huge fan base and love we got in the UK; seeing the judges always on their feet while the kids were performing was like a dream come true.”

Though he revealed participating in competitions is not a priority for the group, Kavuma said given a chance, they will go ahead and also participate in World of Dance or America’s Got Talent.

The Ghetto Kids currently consist of 31 disadvantaged children between the ages of three and 18; Kavuma lives with them in a five-bedroom house in Nakinyuguzi, Makindye.

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