Thousands of music lovers and revellers flocked to Lugogo Cricket Oval on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as Safari Beats and Nile Breweries Limited, through its flagship brand Nile Special, hosted one of Uganda’s biggest entertainment events of the year headlined by Jamaican dancehall star Spice.
The concert, organised by Safari Beats — a lifestyle and entertainment brand under Africa One Tours and Travel Limited — delivered a vibrant fusion of music, tourism, culture and nightlife, further strengthening Uganda’s position as a growing regional entertainment destination.
The event attracted several partners, including the Uganda Tourism Board, Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Airlines, Buganda Heritage and Tourism Board, Serena Hotel, FlexiPay, Quicket, MTicket, ATS Events and Wazo Dazo.
Fans started arriving at the venue as early as 2:00pm and were welcomed by a lively festival atmosphere featuring music, fan engagement activities, food, beverages and branded experiences.
Nile Special and other Nile Breweries brands maintained a strong presence across the venue, reflecting the company’s continued investment in premium entertainment experiences.
Performances officially kicked off at around 6:30pm with a lineup of Ugandan entertainers who kept the audience engaged throughout the night. Mark D Urban opened the performances before Navio and Ziza Bafana thrilled fans with crowd-favourite hits.
Popular DJs DJ Slick Stuart and DJ Roja maintained the momentum with energetic performances, while MC Naselow Da Don kept the audience entertained throughout the evening.
The show’s energy intensified with performances from Ritah Dancehall, Karole Kasita, Cindy Sanyu and Sheebah Karungi, whose performances celebrated the influence of female artists in Uganda’s music industry.
At approximately 11:00pm, Spice made her much-anticipated entrance to thunderous cheers from fans who had waited hours for the Jamaican star to take the stage.
The dancehall singer delivered a high-energy performance lasting nearly two hours, performing some of her biggest hits while captivating the crowd with her charisma and stage presence.
One of the night’s standout moments came when Spice invited several Ugandan women on stage for a dance competition and later rewarded two winners with USD 500 each. She also invited a group of men on stage in another interactive segment that excited the audience.
In an emotional cultural moment, Spice paid tribute to her Jamaican roots by performing a classic song by Bob Marley while waving the Jamaican flag before thousands of cheering fans.
Speaking during the event, Wangechi Gitahi said the concert reflected Nile Special’s commitment to delivering premium and culturally relevant entertainment experiences.
“This concert represents exactly the kind of bold, premium and culturally relevant experiences that Nile Special believes in. Beyond the music, this has been about bringing people together, celebrating talent, showcasing Uganda, and creating unforgettable moments for consumers,” she said.
She added that the overwhelming turnout demonstrated Ugandans’ growing appetite for world-class entertainment experiences that combine music, culture and lifestyle.
Beyond the concert itself, the week-long experience also highlighted Uganda’s tourism potential.
Ahead of the show, Spice participated in several tourism and cultural activities, including visits to Buganda Kingdom heritage sites, Bulange, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, where she named a baby rhino, and Murchison Falls National Park.
The integration of tourism into the entertainment experience reflected Safari Beats’ broader vision of using music and culture to market Uganda’s heritage, wildlife and tourism attractions to regional and international audiences.
