- Title: UGANDA: A dance instructor in his 80's teaches ball room dancing in Uganda
- Date: 23rd April 2007
- Summary: FEET DANCING VARIOUS OF KATO TEACHING BOYS STEPS KATO DANCING WITH A STUDENT PAN OF ROOM WITH STUDENTS DANCING
- Embargoed: 8th May 2007 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Uganda
- Country: Uganda
- Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
- Reuters ID: LVA3GMHDA0KHUSHD6KP6TVHSCNH2
- Story Text: An 82 year old ball room dancer in Uganda is teaching some slick moves on the dance floor that would put many youngsters to shame. Christopher Kato is still drawing a crowd to his ballroom dance class in Kampala at the age of 82.
Specializing in the cha-cha, tango, salsa, foxtrot and paso doble, Kato explained his love for dancing started when he was a young boy.
"I saw the cow boys dancing very well and it was exciting. When I was in the cinema, I saw cowboy dancing very well. Then I said when I grow up I will dance like a cowboy," says Kato.
Kato taught himself how to dance by watching local soldiers who had returned from World War 2 and from the cowboy movies.
Since then he studied books on ballroom dancing and is now an instructor who charges around three US dollars a class.
His students enjoy his classes as it is not only a social event but also good exercise.
"It's really worthwhile, rather than go somewhere and sit down and drink, you come here and have a really good time dancing. First of all you a very good free exercise, you go back and sit very comfortable, it a very good hobby," James Mazina said, one of the ballroom dance students.
Some students arrange for Kato to give them private lessons at their homes. Gisa Ehlbeck is one of them, who enjoys the personal attention she gets from a smaller class.
"He is excellent as a teacher, he is really excellent. When you make a mistake he corrects you and he is so patient to show you again, again, again the step or the other step until you really get it. He is a very very good teacher," Ehlbeck says.
Kato lives about 35 kilometres from Kampala in Bombo Village with his wife and five children. Kato takes his job as an instructor seriously and said that physical fitness is a top priority. To keep in shape he drinks lots of water and exercises daily.
"Dancing has helped me very much, that is why all through the years I have been dancing I take hard exercise, because when you are a dancer you have to exercise, you have to run, the first days you may not feel well but once you get used, you will be fine, that is why I keep telling people that dancing is fun but it helps you. Although I have quit active dancing but I still carry on with exercise so that I remain in good health," Kato says.
Kato may not be the dancer he was in his hey day but to his children especially, he will always have the moves.
He dreams of training Ugandans to take part in international Ballroom dancing competitions -- but in the mean time he is teaching the younger generation what they need to know so that one day they can take the lead. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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