Grammy-winning South African star and international DJ headline a cross-border celebration of Afro-house, culture and Ugandan hospitality
Kampala is preparing for an afternoon of Afro-house, culture and cross-border entertainment as South African Grammy Award winner Zakes Bantwini and international DJ and producer FKR headline Vuma Piano at Méstil Gardens on November 7.
The event will bring together leading names from Southern and East Africa’s music scene, with the two international acts joined by some of Uganda’s top DJs for a celebration that organisers say will connect Mzansi’s distinctive sound with Kampala’s vibrant entertainment culture.
Bantwini, one of South Africa’s leading electronic and Afro-house artists, won the 2023 Grammy Award for Best Global Music Performance for Bayethe, cementing his place among Africa’s internationally recognised musical exports.
His Kampala performance is expected to showcase the soulful vocals and electronic sound that have defined his career and earned him audiences across the world.
He will share the stage with Dubai-based DJ and producer FKR, whose music has built a following across Africa and international markets. FKR has released tracks including Mukwano and Lost in Kampala and recently released I’m the One, featuring Miishu and Kori Hall.
With a creative hub in Greece and an international audience centred around Dubai, FKR has developed a musical footprint spanning South and East Africa. His music has also featured on international playlists and radio platforms, further strengthening his profile beyond the continent.
Together, the two acts are expected to give Ugandan audiences an opportunity to experience a sound that increasingly connects African cities and music markets.
But organisers say Vuma Piano is about more than music. The event is being positioned as a platform for cultural exchange and regional tourism, with a special invitation extended to the South African diplomatic community, expatriates and diaspora living in Uganda, as well as visitors from across the region.
The organisers hope the event will encourage visitors to experience Kampala beyond the concert venue, highlighting Uganda’s hospitality, food, creativity and cultural identity.
Title sponsor Ankole Heritage is also using the event to showcase Ugandan enterprise and craftsmanship.
The company, which operates in areas including luxury fashion, agro-processing, meat processing and bean-to-bar chocolate production, says its involvement reflects its interest in supporting platforms that place Ugandan creativity and products on an international stage.
Méstil Gardens will open its doors from 2pm, with the afternoon designed to build gradually from music and brand experiences into the main performances.
Guests will have access to food and beverage experiences, brand activations and other entertainment as the event moves towards sunset. Organisers are also encouraging guests to arrive early and make the most of the afternoon rather than treating Vuma Piano as a conventional evening concert.
Tickets are priced at Sh70,000 for early-bird entry and Sh100,000 at the gate and they are available on quicket.co.ug or *252*4#.
For guests seeking a more exclusive experience, the Ankole Sovereign VIP package costs Sh1.5m for five people and includes premium seating, dedicated service and Ankole Heritage chocolate platters. For Uganda’s entertainment industry, events such as Vuma Piano also offer an opportunity to position Kampala as a destination for international music and cultural experiences, while creating platforms for local talent to share stages with established African artists.
On November 7, Vuma Piano will bring together music, fashion, food and culture in one setting, with Bantwini and FKR providing the soundtrack to an afternoon built around one central idea: bringing Mzansi closer to the Pearl of Africa.
