Thursday night was electrifying as Ugandans came together to celebrate their very own Joshua Baraka, the country’s sole nominee at the 2025 Trace Awards.
The much-anticipated event, hosted at Nonivie Club & Lounge in Lugogo, Kampala, brought to life by Trace Music, Johnnie Walker, and Airtel, cemented an unforgettable night dedicated to East Africa’s biggest stars.
Celebrating Excellence in Music
Joshua Baraka, best known for his chart-topping hit “NANA,” continues to make waves across the continent, and tonight, Uganda stands in his corner as he vies for top honours at the prestigious Trace Awards.
The evening’s festivities kicked off with an insightful panel discussion featuring Dennis Kahindi, Home Broadband Director at Airtel Uganda; Andrew Kilonzo, Managing Director of Uganda Breweries; and Danny Mucira, Managing Director of Trace East Africa.
Kahindi expressed Airtel’s unwavering commitment to fostering music and cultural expression, stating, “What excites us most about this collaboration is its role in our #SmartaWithData campaign, which promotes education on better data usage and management.”
He further emphasised Airtel’s role in bridging the digital divide, ensuring that the youth, artists, and music lovers alike have access to affordable, reliable digital services.
Empowering Uganda’s Music Industry
As Uganda’s music industry continues to thrive, collaborations such as this highlight the importance of corporate investment in local talent.
“By working closely with the artists that our customers love, we are ensuring that they understand better data management and financial inclusion opportunities,” added Kahindi.
Airtel’s Public Relations Manager, David Burungi, also weighed in on the significance of the event. “Tonight is about celebrating Ugandan talent on an international stage. We are proud to support our musicians as they strive for continental recognition,” he said.
Burungi further acknowledged the role of digital inclusion in Uganda’s entertainment industry, underscoring Airtel’s investment in network expansion and smartphone accessibility.
“Since 2019, we have made significant investments in 100% 4G coverage. We continue to engage with the government to lower smartphone costs and increase accessibility, ensuring that more Ugandans can experience digital innovation and creativity firsthand.”
A Bright Future for Ugandan Music
The 2025 Trace Awards provide a vital platform for Ugandan musicians to showcase their talent globally. With Uganda’s music industry growing rapidly, investments in digital accessibility, streaming platforms, and smartphone penetration are crucial to unlocking new opportunities for artists.
As Baraka steps onto the Trace Awards stage, Uganda stands united in support, celebrating not just his individual success, but the country’s music industry as a whole. With corporate backing and a vibrant, evolving entertainment scene, the future looks brighter than ever for Ugandan artists on the global stage.
Meanwhile, comedian Moses Kiboneka aka Makanika alias Uncle Mo scored big at the Trace Awards 2025 tour, taking home an Airtel Mifi.
