The cheers began long before they walked through the arrivals gate. Fresh from dazzling one of the biggest television audiences in history at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final halftime show alongside global superstars Shakira and Burna Boy, the Ghetto Kids returned home to a heroes’ welcome in Kampala this week.
The Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) hosted a special homecoming reception to celebrate the dance troupe whose journey from the streets of Katanga to football’s biggest stage has become one of Uganda’s greatest success stories.
For UTB Chief Executive Officer Juliana Kagwa, the moment was about more than global fame. It was the culmination of a partnership that began long before the bright lights of the World Cup.
“In terms of our local talent and people who have already been positioning Uganda as a country full of vibe, joy, dance, music, food and culture, some of the content that the Ghetto Kids produced ahead of going to the World Cup was in direct service of that,” Kagwa said.
She described the performance as a powerful showcase of Uganda’s youthful energy on the world’s biggest sporting platform.
“Our ambassadors, our influencers and these young Ugandans got an opportunity for world visibility on the biggest football platform in the universe, literally speaking,” she said.
To Kagwa, the Ghetto Kids embody the spirit of Uganda itself.
“They represent our youth. Uganda is vivacious. We have energy, and that is exactly what the Ghetto Kids represent.”
She added that the momentum created by the troupe aligns perfectly with Uganda’s ambitions as it prepares to co-host AFCON 2027.
“For us, AFCON 2027 is so much more than football. You come for the football, but you stay for the wildlife, the landscapes, the heritage, the culture and, most importantly, the people.”
For the Ghetto Kids, performing at the World Cup was the kind of moment every young dancer dreams about.
“It feels good because that was my first time. We performed at the FIFA World Cup final, the biggest stage in the whole world. I was so excited. That was a dream come true,” said the group’s manager, Dauda Kavuma.
One of the troupe’s dancers, Ivan, could hardly contain his excitement as he recalled the unforgettable night.
“It was fun. The experience was amazing. There were so many lights, people cheering and thousands in the stadium. Performing at the World Cup halftime show in front of so many celebrities was something special. It hits different,” he said.
With millions of new eyes now on Uganda, Kavuma believes the troupe has an even bigger role to play.
“We are ready and open to partner with the Uganda Tourism Board and the entire tourism industry to promote our country. Performing at the World Cup has put Uganda in the spotlight in a positive way, and we’re ready to keep telling that story,” he said.
From viral dance videos in Katanga to commanding one of the world’s biggest stages, the Ghetto Kids have become more than entertainers. They are ambassadors of Uganda’s creativity, resilience and youthful spirit.
As Uganda looks ahead to AFCON 2027, one thing is clear: the world has discovered the Ghetto Kids, but home has been cheering them on all along.
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