What started as an ordinary rehearsal morning turned into an unexpected celebration for singer-songwriter Kenneth Mugabi when Roy Tumwizere walked into his live session at Marish Studio in Bukoto with a surprise announcement.
Tumwizere revealed that V&A Sherry would sponsor Mugabi’s 10th anniversary concert, set for September 12 at Ndere Cultural Centre.
The concert will mark a decade of Mugabi’s music career and is part of his ongoing 10 Years of Kenneth Mugabi celebration. The September show will also give fans a chance to shape the setlist, with Mugabi revisiting songs from across his catalogue.
More than 30,000 fans tuned into the live rehearsal, where they helped Mugabi select songs for the upcoming performance. Among the tracks revisited during the session were Sanyu, Nkwengomba and Naki, songs that have helped establish his reputation as one of Uganda’s distinctive soul voices.
For Tumwizere, the partnership is about more than attaching a brand to a concert. He described it as a recognition of the persistence, creativity and commitment that have defined Mugabi’s decade in music.
“Kenneth Mugabi’s decade-long musical journey represents years of creativity, persistence and commitment to his craft, a story that V&A believes deserves to be recognised and shared,” Tumwizere said.
He added that he was particularly excited about the partnership because he is personally a fan of Mugabi’s music.
“I am excited about this partnership because, personally, I am a great fan of Mugabi, and V&A Sherry is made for moments like these. Celebrating 10 years is a milestone worth recognising and sharing,” he said.
For Mugabi, the concert is as much about the people who have supported his music as it is about marking his own achievement.
The show will also double as his birthday celebration, giving him an opportunity to bring together fans who have followed his journey from the early days of the Kibun’omu album.
“This concert is special because it doubles as my birthday and is my way of celebrating that journey with everyone who has been part of it from the days of the start of the Kibun’omu album,” Mugabi said.
“Having V&A Sherry on board makes the celebration even more special, and I am excited for us to share this moment.”
The partnership comes at a significant point in Mugabi’s career. Rather than simply looking back at his achievements, the singer is using the anniversary to reconnect with the audience that has grown with his music.
The concept for the September concert places fans at the centre of the experience, with the audience choosing songs they want Mugabi to perform. The show is expected to combine some of his defining records with deeper cuts from his catalogue.
Mugabi has also kept one major detail under wraps. During the rehearsal, he revealed that an East African music legend he has long admired will join him on stage, although he declined to disclose the identity.
“V&A has surprised me this morning. I’m also keeping this as a surprise for my fans,” he said.
The September concert will therefore offer more than a celebration of Mugabi’s past 10 years. It will bring together his music, his fans and a few surprises as he begins the next chapter of his career.
V&A Sherry is also planning to complement the music with curated settings, special cocktails and an experience designed around celebrating milestones and sharing memorable moments.
For an artist whose music has often centred on emotion, storytelling and human connection, the anniversary concert promises to be a fitting celebration of the people who have been listening along the way.
After 10 years, Mugabi is not simply counting the years. He is inviting the people who helped make the journey possible to sing the songs, share the memories and celebrate what comes next.
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