“People Were Curious”: Underground Kampala Is Creating A Techno Culture In Uganda
In a country where techno is rare, Underground Kampala creates a haven for die-hard fans. With monthly pop-up buzzes in secret places in Kampala and other hidden corners of Uganda, the party is slowly building a movement.
"We created the definitions to create a positive space for communication and interaction, where participants are immersed in a free zone without social pressure," explains founder Richard O'Doy.
"For us, that means no sexism, no homophobia, no harassment, no racism, no expectations, just a shared understanding of self-expression."
The party emerged during lockdown in 2020 after her friends threw her a shocking illegal birthday party. The party brings together Ugandan techno producers and DJs, connecting them with international DJs. Run by Richard and a group of other DJs, sound designers, lighting designers and producers with a passion for electronic music.
Both the party and the collective behind it are focused on the love of techno and underground values. "It's a bit difficult for creative people in Kampala, especially in a scene like this, where some people want to attend events because they're popular, or they're worried about the number of people available and forget about the music itself."
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But Underground Kampala wants to move away from a commercial approach, embrace a DIY spirit and focus on the needs of its community. He held parties in abandoned buildings, parking lots, lakefronts, and other locations away from the city's main hospitality industry to provide a safe, private space for dancers to discover new music and socialize. The party does not want to control the genre, but ensures that the space is free from social attitudes and stigma.
Now the party is ready for a new stage. The team works with techno artists and DJs abroad and aims to create a permanent space that will become a second home for their community. They are currently raising funds to upgrade their production facilities.
"Having pop-up raves in different places can be fun but also challenging. We have to think about logistics, which can sometimes be difficult to transport and store so much equipment safely. So now we need a permanent place. First place for techno in Kampala ."
We caught up with founder Richard O'Doey, who told us about the party, how motorcycle seats are chosen, prejudices in Uganda and international friendships formed on safari trips.