In a city increasingly known for its vibrant nightlife and event culture, one brand continues to stand out from the crowd.
Strictly Soul, Africa’s biggest RnB showcase, celebrated its one-year anniversary in true soulful style — with an unforgettable night of music, dancing, and culture at Mestil Gardens, drawing over 1,500 guests from across Kampala and beyond.
Despite the growing number of RnB-themed events in the city, Strictly Soul remains in a league of its own, setting the benchmark for quality curation, immersive experiences, and a fanbase that shows up every time.
This special edition of Strictly Soul welcomed two new partners to the experience: Johnnie Walker Blonde, which officially debuted on the Ugandan market, and Coca-Cola, bringing the perfect mixer to the whisky-fueled celebration. The combination elevated the beverage experience, seamlessly blending premium sipping with nostalgic soul.
As is tradition, the night began with a laid-back, easygoing set from DJ Akio, offering mellow grooves as stylish guests — from Gen Z trendsetters to seasoned RnB lovers — arrived, collected their drinks, and mingled. Despite the venue’s increased capacity, traffic congestion around Mestil Gardens suggested a full house long before the doors officially opened.
By 9:00 PM, it was clear that Strictly Soul had once again captivated Kampala’s social calendar. Guests streamed in steadily, and by 10:30 PM, the dance floor began to pulse as DJ Jerry took over, guiding the crowd through a carefully curated journey of global and local RnB hits.
From classics by Usher to viral anthems by Muni Long, the playlist struck all the right chords. A highlight of the night came when Ugandan songstress Lillian Mbabazi’s “Dagala” played — and over a thousand attendees sang along word-for-word, affirming the event’s commitment to celebrating homegrown talent alongside international sounds.
Strictly Soul continues to be powered by the energy of Kampala’s Gen Z crowd, whose unmatched enthusiasm, fashion-forward flair, and social media presence have shaped the event’s identity. Yet, the event remains deeply inclusive, with Millennials showing up in full force, and even Gen Xers blending in effortlessly with the youthful crowd.
The now-iconic choreography to Beyoncé’s “Cuff It”, made popular on Strictly Soul’s Instagram and TikTok pages, took on new life in real time — and for attendees, seeing it performed live was a highlight in itself.
And while the event has often felt like a celebratory space for women, this edition saw the men stepping up too — leading singalongs and dancing with infectious energy. One standout moment featured a male attendee in a white shirt who quite literally, in Beyoncé’s words, “went all night.”
As the clock struck midnight, energy levels only soared higher. Guests raised their cocktails and Rwenzori water bottles, toasted to Uganda’s 63rd Independence Anniversary, and danced into the early hours.
DJ Akio returned for a high-octane closing set that pushed the party to a triumphant close around 1:30 AM, with Whitney Houston’s timeless vocals providing the perfect outro to a night of soul, rhythm, and celebration.
Strictly Soul is expected to return this December, promising even bigger surprises, stronger performances, and more unforgettable moments.
