What will Valentino do in the 2025 Viva Carnival tour?
Valentino R. Kabenge, one of Uganda’s foremost Latin and ballroom dance figures, is set to perform across nine major UK cities this June as part of the Viva Carnival tour. He will share the stage with internationally acclaimed dancers including Strictly Come Dancing stars Oti Mabuse and Flavia Cacace.
Best known at home for his transformative work through Dance with Valentino, his Kampala-based platform for dance education and performance, Kabenge has been a quiet trailblazer. Over the years, he has fused technical discipline with Afrocentric flair, helping shape a vibrant, emerging dance scene in Uganda rooted in Latin and ballroom traditions.
Who Is Valentino?
Valentino, also known as Valentino R. Kabenge, is a dynamic force in Uganda’s growing dance scene—a teacher, performer, choreographer, and visionary whose work has redefined what is possible for East African dancers. With a foundation built on discipline, resilience, and cultural pride, Valentino has cultivated a career that spans over a decade, steadily rising to become one of Uganda’s most recognisable figures in Latin and ballroom dance. Born and raised in Kampala, his early fascination with movement soon matured into a disciplined pursuit of the craft. He trained rigorously, often navigating spaces with little infrastructure or recognition for the genre he loved. Yet, where others saw limitations, Valentino saw the opportunity to innovate.
He founded Dance with Valentino, a platform that would go on to educate, train, and inspire hundreds of young dancers across Uganda—many of whom had never before been exposed to formal Latin or ballroom techniques. His style is distinct: a fusion of Afrocentric rhythm and Western ballroom elegance, delivered with both emotional intensity and technical precision. Beyond performance, Valentino is deeply committed to the growth of dance as a professional art form in Uganda.
He has produced stage shows, led national workshops, judged competitions, and mentored emerging talent—laying a foundation for an industry that, thanks to his influence, is now beginning to flourish. His work speaks to a larger cultural mission: using dance not only as entertainment but as education, empowerment, and international dialogue. Now taking his craft to global stages, Valentino continues to carry the heart of Uganda in every movement, proving that dance is not just something he does—it is who he is.
The Viva Carnival Tour
Now, his passion takes him global.
The Viva Carnival tour, which runs from June 12 to 24, is a high-energy spectacle celebrating diverse dance styles—from jazz and showdance to afrobeats and traditional ballroom—stopping in cities such as Manchester, Blackpool, Birmingham, and culminating with a grand finale in London’s West End.
Kabenge’s invitation to join the tour followed a growing mentorship and collaboration with Marius Iepure and Oti Mabuse through the Marius Iepure Dance Studio. What began as a shared vision—making dance accessible, expressive, and excellent—has evolved into an international stage moment.
A Moment for Uganda
“This is more than a stage—it’s a global spotlight,” Valentino shared in an interview. “And I’m proud to carry Uganda with me.”
For Uganda, this moment isn’t just a personal triumph for Kabenge. It marks one of the first times a local Latin and ballroom dancer is participating in an international tour of this scale. With each performance, he adds to a growing recognition of Ugandan talent on the world stage.
Looking Ahead
Still, Kabenge’s eyes are on the future. While the UK tour will sharpen his technique and expand his network, he remains committed to his roots.
“I hope to develop and sustain places where the next generation can learn earlier than I was able,” he said, “and travel faster and further in their careers as a result.”
As Viva Carnival brings global rhythms to UK audiences, Valentino’s presence ensures that a distinctly Ugandan beat echoes in every performance.
