Mr. Sekajugo was born in 1980 in Masaka, Uganda. At the early age of 13, he lost both his parents and soon became responsible for not only his future, but also the future of his siblings. Shortly thereafter while in secondary school in Kenya, Sekajugo immersed himself into the vibrant arts scene of Nairobi where he was inspired to not only pursue a career as an artist, but begin his mission to "Use Art to Change Lives".  

Ivuka Arts

Over the last four years, these words have become more than a credo for the self-taught artist, who has dedicated himself to founding and directing Ivuka Arts: an ambitious arts organization that aims to develop Rwanda's contemporary cultural heritage by honing the skills of promising young artists and providing platforms for their exposure.  In Uganda Ivuka Arts is working to rejuvenate the art scene through environmental preservation and education programs under the 'Clean-up Uganda' campaign.

RwaMakondera

But his work does not stop here. Outside the walls of Ivuka, Sekajugo would pass children begging on the streets of Kigali. "I used to give them small petty cash," Collin says, "until I came up with an idea to help them express themselves and recognize their value in society through music and dance. "

Moved to help these youngsters by teaching them a skill that could help them earn an income, Sekajugo quickly recognized that a dance troupe could be just the thing: providing not only skills, but also a much-needed sense of belonging for these marginalized youths. The resulting RwaMakondera brings together children from disadvantaged backgrounds and places them in an artistic community that nurtures their talents and gives them a platform for self-expression. By training under caring adults who take a genuine interest in their well-being, these youngsters are given a renewed sense of hope and possibility for their future.

RwaMakondera is founded on the belief that every child - not least the voiceless and underrepresented - has an important message to share with the community. The project is committed to helping each child develop the skills and confidence allowing them to raise their own horns and sound them clearly throughout the world.