Not even the heavy downpour could dampen the spirit of celebration as thousands of fans — young and old — braved the rain to mark the golden jubilee of Uganda’s most iconic band, Afrigo.
The Stanbic Bank–sponsored concert turned into a memorable night of music, dance, and cultural pride, cementing Afrigo’s place as the country’s longest-standing musical powerhouse.
The night was spiced up by Congolese music legend Koffi Olomide, who sent the crowd into a frenzy with his signature Ndombolo moves and hits like Papa Mobimba, Effrakata, Senga, and Ekotite. His performance, paired with Afrigo’s classic catalogue, made the show a true cross-generational spectacle.
Stanbic Bank Uganda’s Brand and Marketing Manager, Lois Kwikiriza, described the concert as a perfect match with the bank’s purpose of driving Uganda’s growth.
“Celebrating the legacy of Afrigo is something we have yearned for as a country,” she said. “The rains we witnessed were a blessing in disguise — they tested our love for Afrigo and Ugandan music, and we passed with distinction. As Stanbic, we are proud to have supported a celebration of our very own.”
How It Unfolded
Hosted by media personality Douglas Lwanga, the night kicked off at 8:10 p.m. with Abeka Band performing the Buganda Kingdom anthem before delivering timeless Ugandan hits from artists like Mesach Semakula, Sweet Kid, and Chance Nalubega.
By 9:00 p.m., the much-anticipated Afrigo Band took the stage, dazzling in black-and-gold outfits. Veterans Moses Matovu, Rachel Magoola, and Joanita Kawalya powered through classics such as Batuuse, Jim, Olumbe Lw’Obwavu, Obangaina, Nfunda N’omubi, Teri Mubi, and Emaali.
Revellers danced and sang along, with discounted drinks courtesy of Flexipay and Uganda Breweries adding to the festive mood.
The night reached its climax with Olomide’s electric performance, which had the crowd dancing with abandon until the skies lit up at midnight with a spectacular fireworks display. The celebration also saw the launch of the Afrigo at 50 Commemorative Book, officiated by Prince David Wassajja — representing the Kabaka of Buganda — and Hon. Nyombi Thembo, Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission.
Delivering the Kabaka’s message, Prince Wassajja said: “The King would have loved to be with you today, but due to unavoidable circumstances, he delegated me to convey his message. He asked me to tell you that he is extremely proud of Afrigo and the enormous contribution you have made to the art and music of our motherland.”
Talent Africa Group CEO Ali Allybai, the show’s organiser, said he always knew Afrigo at 50 would be more than just a concert. “It was a historic celebration of resilience, culture, and timeless music,” he said, promising Ugandans more spectacular productions in the future.
