For Grace Nakimera, staging a concert on the same day as Goodlyf was never simply about competing dates. It became a defining moment that tested her resolve.
Years later, the singer has opened up about the pressure she faced before the concert, revealing that several influential figures tried to convince her to move the show.
“A lot of people approached me and sat me in meetings to cancel the concert. I didn’t do it to attack anyone, but I found myself in the mix,” Nakimera recalled during an interview on D Hook on KFM.
Among those who allegedly reached out was events promoter Balaam and other prominent figures, who she says called her to meetings at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
One particular encounter, she says, left a lasting impression.
According to Nakimera, someone approached her around the time she was preparing for the concert and expressed interest in purchasing the show.
“He told me he wanted to buy my show because they thought it would be amazing. He advised me to stick to that date and said he would give me a certain amount of money, which I was okay with. We had an agreement,” she recalled.
The person allegedly asked for detailed information about the concert, including production arrangements, sound provider, stage setup and other logistical details.
Nakimera says she shared the information, believing she was dealing with someone who genuinely wanted to invest.
But as the date drew closer, the situation changed.
She says the individual kept delaying until only about a week remained before the concert.
“He called me and told me I was stupid, and that pissed me off to continue with the show because I was contemplating on changing the date,” she said.
Nakimera now believes the person had never genuinely intended to buy her concert.
“He was a spy sent from the other camp,” she alleged.
The revelation, rather than frightening her, had the opposite effect. She decided to proceed.
“The concert was a success,” she said.
Despite what she describes as an attempt to frustrate her plans, she says she chose to forgive.
“I forgave them,” she added.