Kazoora, the deejaying, highflying architect

DJ CHAPAT, 34, is a household name in Kampala’s nightlife. He is known for his mastery of afro-house music on the turntables.

Away from deejaying, Chapat wears other hats as a university lecturer, photographer, music producer, architect, and consultant on low-carbon buildings in Africa and the Pacific region. Quick Talk caught up with him recently.

Hello, Chapat! Interesting choice of name…

[Smiles]. I am Conrad Goodman Kazoora, though known to many as DJ Chapat. I am a professional architect, operating around East Africa. I am a senior lecturer of architecture at Uganda Martyrs University. I am also the technical lead for low-carbon buildings in Fiji with the Global Green Growth Initiative in Fiji.

My work is mostly in sustainable building design and practices. I have also been working as an advisor with the UN-Habitat Urban Energy programme in Nairobi.

Between 2013-2020, I spent a big part of my career with the United Nations in Kenya as the programmes manager for energy efficiency in buildings. This shaped my career and what I teach at the university. On the sidelines, I am the founder of ‘Studio Chapat’ a diverse architectural, travel, landscape and hospitality photography firm.

And the deejaying…?

When you see me deejaying, just know I am just having a good time. To me, deejaying is one way to break free from the norms. It is a lovely experience because it presents you with the opportunity to rub shoulders with the greats in the industry.

I have been in the same room with Black Coffee and other big names because of deejaying. Deejaying teaches you several skills that we don’t use in our mainstream professional lives. Top on the list is the people’s skills. A DJ has to interact with people. I now have some music on platforms as an artiste. I have a song on The Mith’s new album.

How was life growing up?

Life was amazing, because I didn’t lack anything growing up. My life rotated around Ntinda, Naguru and Rubirizi. I grew up in an extended family setup; so, it was very hard to even know my actual siblings because we grew up as a loving family.

I was born 34 years ago to Cornelius and Primah Kazoora. My dad is an environmental consultant, while my mama is a public health consultant. I am the second born in a family of three children.

Which schools did you attend?

I attended Buganda Road for PLE, Uganda Martyrs SS Namugongo for UCE, and King’s College Budo for A-level. I joined Uganda Martyrs University, where I did both my undergraduate and master’s degrees in architecture. I am currently doing my PhD in sustainable architecture at the University of Milan, Italy.

Why didn’t you become a public health professional?

I interacted so much with my father’s work when he was doing his work as an environmental consultant. Professor Charles Nuwagaba, head of the department at Makerere University’s Faculty of Technology, was one of my key figures. He was the first guy to get triple-A in Kigezi.

He went on to do civil engineering and eventually graduated with a first-class degree. He is a sharp guy. I wanted to emulate him; so, I got attracted to civil engineering work. I got points for mechanical engineering at university, yet I wanted to do construction work. That is how I ended up in UMU Nkozi to do architecture. I have been there since 2007.

Do you regret the decision?

Nope! Architecture felt more holistic compared to just engineering. It is one of the longest courses at the university. You learn to wear many hats.

How do you balance life and work?

Since a day has 24 hours, you can do so much in that time. Four hours of sleep are good for me. The profession of architecture requires that one is versatile. Lockdown taught us that we don’t need people in the same places to get work done.

To maintain balance, I’ve made sure that everything I do is linked. My work with the UN required that I build capacity in green and sustainable buildings. I could then ensure that my students were among the beneficiaries.

Tell us more about the low-carbon buildings…

Low-carbon building advocates for buildings that have a very low environmental impact. We are pushing for more environmentally friendly ways of construction and living. It should never be about putting bricks and mortar together to build a house.

It should go beyond that. You have to be able to touch the ground lightly. I have spent approximately 12 years in this area. We are helping national governments make their buildings more environmentally sensitive. We have been pushing for building codes in about 13 countries in Africa and the Pacific region.

How did you meet your wife?

I met my wife when we were still students in Nkozi. She also studied architecture like me, before she proceeded to the University of Witts in South Africa for her master’s degree. We dated for approximately seven years before we decided to put a ring on it.

How did you manage the long-distance relationship?

To be honest, a long-distance relationship is not easy. I had to make time. I had to be with her in South Africa after every three months. My Instagram is full of photos when I am in South Africa on different occasions to check on her.

We had a vision that we wished to achieve. Difficult times came but we stuck to the vision that we wanted to achieve. It wasn’t easy for me to get distracted because I had something that I wanted to achieve.

What mantra do you live by?

I have a lot and none. I take each day as it comes. I believe so much in energy and people’s skills. If you’re approachable to others, you can go places even if your expectations are low. I encourage my students to appreciate people skills. It is the gold that we live with. It is not taught in school but it comes with time.

What has contributed to your rise through the ranks?

I started my career very early because I picked unexplored branches of work. When I was at the UN,I was the only person in the building without a PhD. The pressure was on me to be the best. Three things have stood out in my unending rising.

People skills. I learnt this from my very diverse mentors like Felix Okuboi, an architect and investment banker; Alex Ndibwami, a lecturer; and Professor Mark Olweny, the former dean of the faculty when I was at the university. From them, I learnt that if I am comfortable with anybody, I can go anywhere.

I was challenged to go into fields because I kept around them. My wife helped me to settle. She helped me to get determined and direct my career path for something. It is no longer about you, it is now about someone’s daughter.

How do you balance religion and your deejaying?

I am a staunch Catholic. I grew up in a very religious family. As much as you can be busy, it doesn’t cost you 30 minutes to be with God. Religion has been a key helper in my life. I find solace and strength in the scriptures when the going gets tough.

What kind of music do you listen to?

Afro-house music and rock. I was also part of the Bad Decision Makers band during my time in Nkozi. We used to play very nice rock music. I even play the guitar.

How do you wish to be remembered?

I would want to be remembered as someone that changed people’s lives in some of the most adverse places around the world.

Where are the little ones?

It is a work in progress. Trust the process.

samuelmhindo@gmail.com