Ken Moves wants dancers to receive their flowers

What the report says

The Observer reports that Ugandan dancer and choreographer Ken Moves is calling for dancers to receive greater recognition, more money and proper award categories in the country’s entertainment industry. In an interview with the publication, he argued that dancers have long helped songs and performances succeed while singers and other lead acts often receive most of the fame and rewards.

The article places his comments in the context of well-known Ugandan music collaborations where choreography became central to a song’s popularity, including Eddy Kenzo’s Stamina and Sitya Loss, as well as later hits linked to dancers such as Wembly Mo and Mulo Mazina. The piece says Ken Moves sees this as proof that dancers contribute significantly to an artist’s success, even if they are often remembered less than the musicians.

Ken Moves, who the report says is 24 and has built a large following online, told The Observer that dancers should be able to earn from their own brand, not only from music videos and stage appearances. He pointed to social media, brand partnerships and merchandise as ways dancers can turn their craft into a sustainable career. He also suggested that Uganda’s awards and entertainment structures have not kept pace with the growth of dance as a standalone profession.

More broadly, the report frames his remarks as part of a wider discussion about how dancers in Uganda can gain visibility and financial security, with Ken Moves expressing optimism that the industry will eventually value them more openly.