Kohen Jaycee, Mike Kayihura and a wave of East Africa’s freshest sounds collided at a night that turned music into a borderless affair.
Forget passports. For one night, all Kampala needed was a good playlist.
MoTIV Bugolobi became the meeting point for Kampala and Kigali as Afro Urban: Kigali Meets Kampala delivered a charged night of live music, DJs and East African creative energy.
Sponsored by Club Pilsener and organised by Afro Urban with Sesse Nation and Shorts Na Lessu, the showcase brought together a mix of emerging talent and established voices—and the crowd was in no mood for a quiet evening.
Kyle Simbwa kicked things into gear before Kamanzi and Mike Mungu took the room through Afro-fusion, soul and smooth Afro-R&B. DJ Karsten, DJ Ames, DJ Kaz and DJ Ssese kept the transitions slick, ensuring there was barely a dull moment between performances.
Then came the headliners.
Kohen Jaycee commanded the stage with his alternative R&B and soulful sound, running through fan favourites such as After 10:30, Not Letting Go and Siganye, while also unveiling his latest release, I Don’t Really Know.
Then Mike Kayihura brought Kigali to Kampala.
With songs including Zuba, Tuza, Come On, Sabrina and Easy, the Rwandan singer delivered the kind of soulful performance that made the supposed border between the two cities feel almost imaginary.
By the time DJ Kai and DJ Kaz returned to the decks, the formal show had effectively given way to a full-blown late-night celebration.
And that was the magic of the night.
Kigali did not come to Kampala as a guest. It came as part of the party.
Afro Urban’s latest showcase offered a glimpse of an East African creative scene increasingly connected by streaming, collaborations, nightlife and audiences who care less about where an artist comes from—and more about whether the music moves them.
