Wellness With Her Club

Kampala, Uganda- December, 2025

In a dynamic move to celebrate the fusion of wellness, cultural heritage, and community empowerment, Wellness With Her Club has announced a formal partnership with the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board (BHTB). This collaboration seeks to promote the revival of traditional Ugandan cultural practices while integrating modern wellness initiatives for women and families across the region.

A key highlight of the partnership is the second edition of the Back to the Roots Wato Movement Workshop, set to take place on 17th December from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM at BHTB.

The workshop is designed to reconnect participants with the rich cultural heritage of Buganda, emphasizing traditional dances, language, and expressive movement as essential elements of identity and wellness. CEO of BHTB, Nsubuga Najib Ssekikubo, has highlighted the importance of cultural revival, stating that preserving traditions such as dance and storytelling strengthens community bonds, nurtures pride, and offers opportunities for self-expression in modern life.

Leading the workshop is the renowned Annet Nandujja, who also spearheaded the first edition. Nandujja is a celebrated folk musician, composer, and dancer, known for her lifelong dedication to preserving and teaching Buganda’s musical and dance heritage. With decades of performance experience, including her international tours with her group, The Planets, she brings unparalleled expertise in traditional rhythms and movement, making this workshop a rare opportunity to learn from a cultural icon.

Participants will engage deeply with three iconic Kiganda dances: Bakisimba, Nankasa, and Muwogola.

Bakisimba is a vigorous, high-energy dance performed historically in the Kabaka’s palace during royal celebrations. It is characterized by energetic footwork, rhythmic patterns, jumps, stomps, fluid hip movements, and expressive hand gestures, with dancers forming a circle and taking turns showcasing their skills while others clap, sing, and play accompanying instruments. Traditional instruments like gourd rattles (Nseege), cow horn trumpets (Engoombe), Ngalabi, and drums (Mpuunyi, Nankasa, Mbuut) provide a lively soundtrack, creating an immersive cultural experience. Historically, Bakisimba was performed during moments of communal joy, such as when the Kabaka celebrated with tonto (local beer), symbolizing festivity, vitality, and togetherness.

Nankasa is a celebratory folk dance originating from royal and social gatherings. It emphasizes agile footwork, coordinated hand movements, and rhythmic group formations, offering participants a chance to experience the joy and communal spirit embedded in Buganda’s dance culture.

Muwogola, on the other hand, allows participants to connect with the ancestral stories and emotional depth of Buganda traditions. Together, these three dances offer a holistic journey through movement, history, and wellness, blending physical exercise, cultural immersion, and mindful expression.

The Wato Movement Workshop is designed to blend traditional cultural expression with modern wellness practices, allowing participants to experience movement as both a form of physical exercise and cultural immersion. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in decent wear, ideally with a scarf to tie around the waist, and to bring a water bottle to stay hydrated during the session.

Tickets are UGX 35,000 per individual, while UGX 55,000 allows for a mother and one daughter to participate together, making it a family-friendly cultural wellness experience.

Rianne Bateeze, CEO of Wellness With Her Club, shared her excitement about the collaboration:

“This partnership is about more than wellness; it is about reconnecting women and families to their roots, celebrating our cultural identity, and rediscovering the power of movement as both a form of expression and healing. With Annet Nandujja leading these sessions, participants will not only learn traditional dances but also experience the joy, rhythm, and stories that have shaped our heritage for generations.”

This initiative is part of a broader vision by Wellness With Her Club to blend physical well-being with cultural awareness, empowering women and communities to embrace their bodies, minds, and heritage. Participants can expect a welcoming, high-energy environment that encourages learning, engagement, and joyful expression through the rhythm and traditions of Buganda.

The Back to the Roots Wato Movement Workshop also marks the first leg of the recently announced Wato Movement Kampala City Tour, a multi-location initiative designed to bring wellness, cultural revival, and community engagement to key neighborhoods across the city. Starting at the Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board, this inaugural session sets the tone for a series of immersive experiences where participants will explore movement, traditional dance, and holistic wellness practices, all while celebrating and reconnecting with the rich cultural heritage of Buganda. It promises to be an energizing and transformative kickoff to the tour, highlighting the mission of Wato Movement to blend body, mind, and cultural expression in one dynamic journey.

With the partnership officially underway, the partners look to continue the Back to the Roots Wato Movement Workshop and have it become an annual flagship event, encouraging a deeper appreciation for Uganda’s rich cultural heritage while promoting wellness for women and families across Uganda and beyond. The collaboration represents a powerful step in reviving Uganda’s cultural traditions, merging them with modern wellness practices to empower women and communities alike. The Back to the Roots Wato Movement Workshop promises an unforgettable experience where heritage, health, and creativity converge, creating bc both personal growth and a deeper appreciation for Buganda’s rich legacy.