Lawrence ‘Branco’ Sekalegga
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Branco is the Executive Director and co-Founder of the Bitone Children’s Center and Music Troupe. Branco was born in Uganda and lived his entire childhood in Uganda where he witnessed the pressing need to establish programs for children that would promote their success despite their unfortunate circumstances. As a performing artist, Branco possesses a deep passion for working with children and communities to use music as a tool to raise awareness of issues hindering economic development and good health practices. Branco holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Makerere University in Uganda and a Diploma in Vocal Performance and Vocal Teaching . In 2011, he completed his masters in music at Wesleyan University in Connecticut in the United States. Branco also taught music at Makerere University. In 2006, he travelled to the United States to train and work with Singers of United Lands, a non-profit organization that uses art to foster international and cultural relationships, during which time he was awarded a Diploma in Arts Management Branco has also travelled to Germany, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania for performances and cultural exchange events.
Hassan Kayemba
CO-FOUNDER/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR
Hassan is the Artistic Director, and co-Founder of Bitone, as well as the International Coordinator for the Bitone Music Troupe. Born and raised in Uganda, Hassan has always loved the performing arts. Hassan holds a Diploma in Music, Dance and Drama from Makerere University in Uganda and he has won national recognition and awards as an exceptional trainer of Ugandan traditional music and dance in Ugandan schools and communities. Before founding Bitone, Hassan worked with Plan International, where he used music to address issues of domestic violence, and proper sanitation. He also worked with local film companies as well as with HIV/AIDS Clubs as a dance and music trainer to facilitate discussions about the disease. Hassan has performed in the United Kingdom, Spain, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia. He currently conducts regular workshops on African drumming, African dance, and storytelling in schools and communities across the UK.
Francis Katimbo
CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR, BITONE CENTER (UGANDA)
Francis is the Chief Administrator of the Bitone Children’s Center, where he is responsible for coordinating all administrative aspects of the Bitone projects to ensure that the Bitone vision is maintained. He graduated from Kampala International University with a degree in Tourism and Hotel Management . He has worked with the Children’s Center since 2008, enjoying his ability to contribute to the wellbeing of children from diverse backgrounds through music, dance, and drama.
Deborah Nabatanzi
FINANCE MANAGER
Deborah is the Finance Manager for Bitone Children’s Center and Music Troupe. She is responsible for ensuring that all program activities run smoothly as budgeted by working with the Board of Directors and the Fundraising Department. Deborah graduated from Kampala International University with a bachelors in Human Resource Management and was one of the first beneficiaries of Bitonce Children’s Center.
Eve Namutebi
PROJECT COORDINATOR (UGANDA)
Eve serves as the Project Coordinator, working with the Children’s Center to develop community-outreach programs. Born in a remote village in the Mukono District she fostered a love of the performing arts and engaging children in creative projects. Eve has expertise in counseling and community mobilization through theatre and has worked with the Bitone Children’s Center for six years. In 2005, she earned a Diploma in Music, Dance and Drama from Makerere University and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations Management at Ndejje University in 2011.
Sarah Heddon
DIRECTOR – INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
Sarah has been working with Bitone since 2008. As an undergraduate at Albion College in Michigan in the United States, she established a fundraising project and student chapter of Bitone at Albion college to support the Bitone Children’s Center. After graduating in, Sarah studied and worked in East Africa, collaborating with a wide range of local and international musicians, artists, and festival organizers. She currently resides in Oakland, California. Sarah is passionate about the mission of Bitone and seeks to connect its programs with schools and organizations around the United States.
Allana Kembabazi
FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR (UNITED STATES)
Allana is the Fundraising Coordinator for Bitone projects. She is responsible for coordinating on ground fundraising activities and for researching, compiling and soliciting grants for which Bitone can apply. She is also in charge of designing developing new projects and initiatives. Allana first became involved in the Bitone Children’s Center in 2010 when she won a competitive 100 Projects for Peace award and collaborated with the center to implement her music project aimed at bringing about a mindset of peace among Ugandan youth. Through her project, she was able to provide Bitone with new musical instruments. Impressed with the center’s work, Allana continued to be involved with Bitone particularly aiding it to expand and design new projects. Allana graduated from Wesleyan University in Connecticut with a Bachelors of Arts in Government.
Grant Buhr
MEMBER, BITONE MUSIC PRODUCTION
Grant, a California-based audio engineer, has produced two music albums by the Bitone Music Troupe, whose proceeds directly support the Troupe and the Children’s Center. He continues to work with Bitone on producing audio recordings to enable the world to hear its music. In explaining his commitment to the Bitone Music Troupe, Grant states, “I believe that the world needs to hear Bitone’s music and story. I have lost count of how many tears of joy I have witnessed from Bitone’s growing fan base, and how many people have used words like ‘healing’ and ‘transformative’ to explain their experience listening to the music. What Bitone has taught me is that cultures need to engage in mutually beneficial relationships, and I am thrilled to play a role in facilitating that exchange.”
Will Sherratt
COORDINATOR, BITONE PROGRAMS (UK)
Born to a white English father and a Filipino mother, Will Sherratt, who would develop an international reputation under the stage persona “Mr. Will,” first picked up a guitar at the age of eight, already understanding that there was a world of music beyond MTV and Radio 1. Mr. Will studied for over a decade with legendary Congolese guitarist Lokassa Y. Mbongo in Boston and numerous West African artists from Mali, Guinea and Gambia, to develop an eclectic and playful approach to composition and performance. Mr. Will has played guitar and djembe professionally for diverse audiences all over the world. After hearing about Bitone’s mission to help disadvantaged Ugandan children find hope and empowerment though music and dance, he immediately felt compelled to join the organization. Mr. Will is the Bitone Programs Coordinator in the United Kingdom.
Justine Kyeyune
MATRON, BITONE CENTER (UGANDA)
Justine is a matron at the Bitone Children’s Center, where she is in charge of the welfare of the children living at the facility. She also receives visitors of the Center and takes care of all home-related matters. Justine lives with the children and serves as a motherly figure. She has got a high passion and love for the children.
Seby Ntege
COORDINATOR, BITONE PROGRAMS (UK)
Seby is a gifted, enthusiastic musician and dancer originally from Busoga, eastern Uganda. Born into a musical family, his interest in music started to develop when he was five years old, at which time he joined the school choir and took part in music competitions. In 2007, he assembled a 21-man band called Embaire International to play a 21 giant key xylophone, performing for Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey. Seby also took part in “Motherland,” a dance production by Sampad that toured 28 cities around the United Kingdom in the summer of 2007, in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolishment of the slave trade. Seby currently lives in the UK and runs music and dance workshops in communities, schools, universities and colleges all around the country. He first became involved with Bitone because he thought that it was a crucial project launched at a time when it was most needed. He believes that “healing, empowering and bringing hope to young children is possibly the best gift one can give to mankind. Bitone has always inspired me with its potential to make the world a better place. Bitone’s message of hope needs to be heard everywhere.”
To contact the staff, please email info@bitonechildren.org