HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I It is likely to be billed as the show of the year by pundits, going by the pomp, colour and sheer numbers that characterised Vinka’s maiden concert, which attracted thousands of revellers to the Lugogo Cricket Oval in Kampala on Friday night.
For an artiste who had never before staged a headline concert of such magnitude, Vinka’s Live and Loud show was always going to be a defining moment. But after weeks of intense promotion, public anticipation and, more recently, controversy surrounding calls to boycott the concert, the Afropop star had much more to prove.
And prove it she did.
Thousands of enthusiastic fans thronged the Lugogo Cricket Oval, turning the usually spacious venue into a sea of music lovers who had come to witness Veronica Nakiyingi Lugya, popularly known as Vinka, finally take centre stage for a concert that many believe could redefine her position among Uganda’s leading female artistes.
From as early as the afternoon, fans started making their way to Lugogo as gates opened for what would eventually become a full-blown entertainment festival.
The atmosphere steadily built throughout the day as music blared from the venue, DJs warmed up the crowds and fans took advantage of the photo booths, sponsored bars and other entertainment experiences that had been prepared for the occasion. By nightfall, the Cricket Oval was packed.
The event, organised by Swangz Avenue and supported by major corporate partners including Skyview, Uganda Waragi and Bell Lager, had all the ingredients of a major music festival.
Uganda Waragi cocktails flowed at the sponsored bars, Bell Lager added to the party atmosphere, while the venue’s elaborate setup, visual effects and entertainment activities ensured that the experience extended beyond simply watching an artiste perform.
Then came the woman of the moment.
Vinka made a grand entrance onto the stage amid deafening cheers from thousands of fans who had waited patiently for the singer to deliver the biggest performance of her career.
For approximately two and a half hours, she took the audience on a musical journey through the songs that have made her one of the most recognisable female voices in Uganda’s contemporary music industry.
With her background as a dancer clearly evident, Vinka combined energetic choreography, a live band and her trademark stage presence to keep the audience engaged throughout the performance.
The concert was built around the infectious party anthems that have dominated her catalogue over the years.
Songs such as Bailando, Overdose, Love Panic, Chips Na Ketchup, Malaika and Thank God sent the audience into wild celebrations as fans sang along to almost every lyric.
Her performance of Mine was particularly singled out by revellers as one of the memorable moments of the night, as the singer connected emotionally with an audience that had come to celebrate a journey spanning nearly a decade.
The night became even more colourful when some of Uganda’s popular artistes joined Vinka on stage.
Fik Fameica, Spice Diana, Elijah Kitaka and Azawi all made appearances, adding another layer of excitement to an already electric show.
Their performances and collaborations reinforced the concert’s festival-like atmosphere, with the audience treated to a combination of Vinka’s biggest songs and guest appearances from some of the industry’s biggest names.
Yet the huge turnout carried significance beyond the music.
In the days leading up to the concert, Vinka had found herself caught in political controversy after some sections of the public criticised her involvement in the recent election campaigns.
The criticism was linked to her public support for her husband, Nelly Witta, whose real name is Nelson Witta, during his campaign for the Isingiro West County parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections.
Calls were subsequently made on social media for people to boycott the concert, casting uncertainty over whether the political backlash could affect attendance at her biggest career event.
But Friday night’s scenes at Lugogo appeared to provide a powerful response. Instead of an empty venue, thousands turned up.
Instead of being overshadowed by controversy, the night was dominated by music, dance and celebration.
The turnout was widely interpreted by fans, fellow musicians and supporters as evidence of the loyalty Vinka commands and the enduring strength of the music catalogue she has built since joining the industry.
For Vinka herself, the concert represented a particularly heartwarming chapter in her career.
Before becoming a household name, she worked behind the scenes at Swangz Avenue and was also known for her work as a dancer. Her transformation from backup dancer and artiste manager to one of Uganda’s leading female musicians has been remarkable. Friday night was the ultimate symbol of that journey.
It was also a night on which she enjoyed support from influential personalities. Ahead of the concert, Buganda Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga publicly rallied behind the singer, while fellow musicians, including Bebe Cool, congratulated her following the successful show.
As the final notes faded and the lights went down at Lugogo Cricket Oval, fans left with memories of a concert filled with spectacle, dance, music and celebration.
For Vinka, Live and Loud was not merely a maiden concert. It was a statement.
And judging by the thousands who packed Lugogo and the pomp that unfolded throughout the night, it is a statement that will be difficult for Uganda’s entertainment pundits to ignore when they begin debating the biggest show of 2026.
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