Pictorial: Stecia Mayanja Reignites Flame of Live Ugandan Music

After nearly a decade out of the local spotlight, Stecia Mayanja roared back onto the Ugandan music scene in true queen fashion, setting Serena Hotel’s Victoria Hall ablaze with her long-awaited ‘Hajjat Stecia Live Concert’ — and what a night it was!

Backed by Stanbic Bank Uganda, the concert was nothing short of electric. By 6:30 PM, fans of all ages were already packing the venue, buzzing with excitement. With JJ Sound’s Selector Sula spinning a nostalgic Luganda mix, the party started even before the star hit the stage.

TikTok favourite Teacher Kipopo and his wife got the crowd grooving early, kicking off a night packed with rhythm, memories, and magic.

At exactly 8:10 PM, seasoned hosts Miles Rwamiti and Rebecca Jjingo took the mic, setting the tone with playful banter and the national anthem, officially launching a show that felt more like a cultural festival than just a concert.

And then — boom! No curtain-raisers, no buildup — just Stecia Mayanja, stepping into the spotlight in a stunning golden hijab, launching straight into ‘Tuli Mumpaka’ and reminding everyone exactly why she’s a Ugandan music legend.

Backed by a tight live band and a dazzling stage setup, Stecia took fans on an emotional rollercoaster through her classics: ‘Kantuntunu’, ‘Ssisubira’, ‘Silinda Bidde’, ‘Allah Kareem’, ‘Ojira Olindako’, and many more. Her performance was more than just music — it was storytelling through song, with dramatic skits and heartfelt transitions that had the audience fully locked in.

One of the night’s biggest moments? A surprise duet with Charles Ssekyewa on their hit ‘Wabanswaliza’, which brought the house down. He followed with solo hits ‘Ebibimba Bbika’ and ‘Nva Kubagalana’, before handing the stage over to guest performers Shirah Nabansumba and Hajji Haruna Mubiru, who kept the tempo high with ‘Ticket’, ‘Yegwe’, and ‘Binyuma’.

Returning for her second set dressed in elegant traditional Kiganda attire, Stecia paid homage to Uganda’s rich culture, weaving heritage into performance in a way that had the crowd cheering and ululating.

Jackie Abwol, Marketing Manager at FlexiPay, called the show “a masterpiece that united both urban and traditional audiences, showcasing the true spirit of Uganda.”

The surprises didn’t stop there. Music icons Catherine Kusasira and Ronald Mayinja joined in, delivering soulful renditions of their evergreen hits, stirring up sing-alongs and a flood of nostalgic energy.

For the grand finale, Stecia emerged in a glittering white-and-gold hijab to deliver her viral smash ‘Equaliser’, followed by a high-octane set featuring ‘Fitting’, ‘Kabalagala’, ‘Sofa Set’, ‘Remote’, ‘Kawompo’, ‘Kuma Figure’, ‘Kantinti’, ‘Bitambula’, and more — leaving fans breathless and begging for an encore.

In one touching twist, she performed gospel hits by Judith Babirye and Pastor Wilson Bugembe, sharing how their music echoed her personal journey during her time abroad.

The night was capped with appearances from dignitaries representing both the central government and the Buganda Kingdom, cementing the concert as more than just a musical comeback — it was a national moment.

With passion, power, and purpose, Hajjat Stecia Mayanja didn’t just return — she reignited the flame of live Ugandan music. Welcome back, queen. The stage has missed you.