35 Years of Heritage
Keeping the drums of northern Uganda beating in London
2 to 3 times each month; typically on Sundays, four generations gather to dance Bwola, Larakaraka and Dingidingi. Learn Leb Lwo, and pass the culture of the Acholi people to the children of the diaspora. Rooted in Lwo heritage – open to everyone.
Our story
Lwo Cultural Group (LCG) is a volunteer-run registered charity (No. 1109870) based at St Luke’s Community Centre in Canning Town, East London. Founded in 1991 and formally constituted in June 2005, we have spent 35 years keeping the cultural heartbeat of the Acholi people alive in the UK.
2 to 3 times each month; typically on Sundays, our members gather to rehearse the great traditional dances of northern Uganda – Bwola, the royal court dance; Larakaraka, the courtship dance of the calabash; Dingidingi, the joyful dance of the young; Otole, the war dance; and more. We teach Leb Lwo to children born thousands of miles from their grandparents’ homeland. We perform at weddings, festivals, graduations and civic events across London and beyond — from Ealing Common to Dublin. And we bring our community together through trips, celebrations and mutual support.
LCG is governed by a 12-member volunteer Management Committee and has growing list of members spanning four generations. We hold £5 million public liability insurance, a written constitution, and safeguarding, child protection and equal opportunities policies.
Our values
Heritage
Our traditions are a treasure held in trust for the next generation.
Community
We look after one another; no one walks alone.
Inclusion
Rooted in Lwo culture, open to every background. Dance needs no shared language.
Integrity
Volunteer-led, transparent and accountable in everything we do.
Joy
Culture is celebration; our drums call everyone to the dance.
Organisation Pedigree
35 years of heritage
1991
LCG founded by Acholi community members in London, keeping traditional dance alive far from home.
2005
Formally constituted and registered with the Charity Commission (No. 1109870).
2005–2025
Two decades of continuous weekly rehearsals; performances at hundreds of weddings, festivals and community events across the UK and Ireland; language classes; youth training; community trips.
2026
35th anniversary year: £19,887 grant secured for cultural programmes; performances at Kenya in the Park, the inaugural Acholi Day UK, and weddings from London to Dublin; growing list of members; Community Capital Project building towards a permanent LCG home.
Governance you can trust
Registered charity
Charity Commission No. 1109870, with a written constitution since June 2005.
Volunteer committee
Governed by a 12-member volunteer Management Committee, elected by members.
Fully insured
£5 million public liability insurance covering all performances and events.
Safeguarding first
Safeguarding, child protection and equal opportunities policies in place.
Crafts and Performances
Youth Dance Training
Be part of the next 35 years
Membership is open to all – rooted in Lwo heritage, welcoming every background.
Lwo Cultural Group
Preserving, celebrating and passing on the cultural heritage of the Lwo (Acholi) people of northern Uganda — through dance, music, language and community.
Contact
-
- St Luke’s Community Centre,
85 Tarling Rd, Canning Town, London
E16 1HN. United Kingdom.
- St Luke’s Community Centre,
- Email: lwoculturalgroup@hotmail.com
- Treasurer: David Opwonya — 07471 844 661
- Organiser: Florence Atim — 07941 361 445
Lwo Cultural Group | Registered Charity No. 1109870 | Volunteer-led since 1991
Photographs are used with the consent of those featured, in line with our child protection and safeguarding policies.