At 50, Mesach Semakula is not simply counting birthdays. He is looking back at five decades of music, relationships, family and the young artistes he has helped along the way.
The veteran singer will celebrate the milestone with a concert dubbed Mesach Semakula Live in 50 Years of Greatness, scheduled for November 13 at Kingdom Kampala.
The event was unveiled on Thursday evening at the I&M Bank atrium at Kingdom Kampala, but its launch took an unconventional route. Instead of the familiar press conference format, Semakula sat down for a conversation on the second episode of I&M Bank’s On Your Side podcast, hosted by the bank’s executive director and chief operations officer, Sam Ntulume.
What began as a concert announcement soon became a reflection on a career that has stretched across generations.
Semakula, popularly known as Sir or Papa, looked back at some of the people who influenced his journey, naming musician Abbey Mukibi, singer and actress Maria Ndagire and the late actor, musician and politician Kato Lubwama among those who played significant roles in his career.
He also spoke about the importance of his family, whose support he credits as part of the foundation that has enabled him to sustain a career spanning decades.
But his legacy, he noted, is not limited to the songs he has released.
Over the years, Semakula has also taken on the role of mentor, helping young artistes and creatives navigate an industry in which finding a breakthrough can be difficult.
That history is part of what he wants to celebrate when he takes the stage in November.
“The concert is important to me because of the passion I have for music and my fans. I have prepared myself to perform for the people who have supported me throughout the years, but most importantly, to celebrate the 50 years God has given me,” he said.
For Semakula, the night will therefore be less about marking his age and more about reconnecting with the music that has defined his life.
He has promised fans a live performance centred on his original music, urging them to expect an authentic musical experience rather than a conventional birthday celebration.
The concert is expected to bring together longtime fans, fellow artistes, friends, family and personalities from Uganda’s entertainment and business circles.
It will also offer a glimpse of how far Semakula’s music has travelled.
Some of those expected to attend grew up listening to him, while others discovered his music much later. His 50th birthday could therefore become a meeting point between generations of listeners who have, in different ways, made his music part of their lives.
For an artiste who has spent half a century on the planet and much of his adult life in music, Semakula’s celebration is ultimately about more than turning 50.
It is a moment to take stock of the songs, people, relationships and lives he has touched along the way.
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