THE LAB
LAB UGANDA is a place to meet, learn about and make music, to listen to one another, and share the joy of music.
The core feature of the LAB is its stage, which can be set up within minutes of the truck parking at a location. It gives BidiBidi a voice, allowing everyone to share messages through music. The LAB moves through the vast settlement and visits all the 5 BidiBidi zones regularly.
Additionally to the stage there’s a lot one can do in the LAB:
RECORD MUSIC
In the LAB´s fully equipped recording studio the sound engineer captures songs. Sound becomes a tangible and shareable medium: traditional music from cultural heritages, children´s choirs, rap, pop bands, brass bands or special announcements broadcasted via radio.
Last but not least – these songs are shared with the world!
LISTEN AND WATCH
LAB UGANDA hosts live concerts, shows movies and supports events. It mobilises people to join mass awareness campaigns about peaceful coexistence, gender equality, women or children’s rights and psycho-social support. More than 61´000 people have attended events in the past year, multiplying the impact of these campaigns.
MUSIC TRAINING
The LAB provides music training on guitars, keyboards and drum sets. Beginners and advanced musicians regularly attend lessons and sharpen their skills for future performances or recordings.
Two computer stations are used to watch instrument tutorials, learn to edit recordings or develop IT competences.
TECHNICAL TRAINING
Our sound engineer and head of the technical crew teaches technical know-how, from setting up the stage and PA system for an event to recording a song. In 2022, 27 people were trained to operate the LAB, of which three are now certified apprentices.
LAB UGANDA provides livelihood opportunities to refugees: A media manager reports on the progress of the project and our certified LAB apprentices work daily in the recording studio and for stage activities.
STAGE PERFORMANCE
Whether for beginners or experienced artists, the LAB provides stage practise and exposure. In 2022 66 events took place in the settlement, supported by artists performing on the LAB stage. The large crowds (more than 61000 in total) attending the LAB events help to grow talent, stage presence and develop a following.
WIFI & ELECTRICITY
The LAB provides electricity and Wifi on site. This means that people can charge their phones and be online. It is of particular interest as electrical power and Wifi networks are not sufficiently available in BidiBidi.
„Seeing performing groups that we saw the first time so shy and into themselves and now so confident and taking on the masses with cheers is just mind blowing.“
— Alex Ninsiima, former Sound and Tech Engineer LAB UGANDA