After three days filled with various conferences, exhibitions, and showcases, the 9th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo concluded on Saturday with a vibrant music and cultural festival at the Lakeside Gardens, Speke Resort Munyonyo, marking a grand climax to the event that commenced on May 21, 2025, and wrapped up on May 24, 2025.
The festival, organized by the Ministry of Wildlife and Antiquities, was headlined by the singing trio Jackie Chandiru, Lillian Mbabazi, and Cindy Sanyu from Blu *3, Renowned ‘Binyanyanya’ DJ Suuna Ben, Winnie Nwagi, comedy duo Madrat and Chiko, Aliddeki Brian, Abeeka Band, Crane Performers, DJ Tony, and Alpha Otim.
Salvado Idringi, Adele Kiele, and Sheilla Gashumba were the hosts during the festival.
The activities started with a boating regatta experience at Lake Victoria for some guests before DJ Tony kicked off the day with deejay mixes that took the audience to the first performance from the Crane Performers. Their showcase delved into the different Ugandan cultures exhibited in dance and music.
Brian Aliddeki’s distinctive musical style, blending traditional Ugandan rhythms, melodies with contemporary sounds, especially on songs like Empaako Ya Niwooha, Akasilikiro, and Njagala Nkwagale, excited mostly the foreigners in attendance.
At 6 pm, Abeeka Band took to the stage, and their 45-minute performances didn’t seem enough for the crowd, who sang along to every cover that the band did. Their set was so good that they returned to play for an extra five minutes as requested by Salvador and the audience.
Madrat and Chiko came next, with skits centered on their travels in Uganda and abroad. They did so well that they left the audience roaring with laughter.
IGC, a pioneering Ugandan fashion label co-founded by Katende Godfrey, was the official fashion curator for the expo, and during the closing ceremony, they showcased a unique perspective focusing on sustainability and heritage.
This showcase presented original outfits that reimagine Lubugo (barkcloth), tracing its evolution from traditional fabric to modern fashion.
Regarded as the pioneer of Acholitronix – a mixture of electronic music and Acholi traditional instruments, Otim Alpha tapped into a new audience, and his traditional Acholi ‘Larakaraka’ music excited some people in the crowd, especially those who are familiar with that language.
Winnie Nwagi’s set brought people close to the stage, and she put up a splendid performance with songs like Gyangu, chekecha, matala, musawo, magic, okubye nyo, fire dancer, Amaaso with Vinka, Malaika, and Batuleke.
“I have hosted events before, but last night I was in awe … during the day, we had a lot of classy people .. you know the wareva type, at night during Suuna set .. all I saw was kubakubakubakuba .. I got goosebumps .. never seen anything like that … this man is who he says he is .. I’ve allowed,” Salvado tweeted after Suuna Ben’s set.
Suuna Ben’s session didn’t last more than 40 minutes, but it left everyone, including the bazungus, looking like they were possessed.
Shortly after his performance, BLU *3 took it away, reminding the audience with their throwback songs like Nsanyuka Nawe, Hitaji, Mutima Gwange, Where You Are, and Sanyu Lyange, among others.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) is an annual event showcasing Uganda’s unique attractions, promoting the country as a prime destination for tourism investment, partnerships, and cultural exploration.
This concept brings together tourism operators, travel agents, hospitality stakeholders, and investors from around the world, creating a platform to promote Uganda’s brand as “The Pearl of Africa.
The pearl of Africa tourism expo was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Skills Excel, Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Uganda Waragi, IGC (Official Fashion Curator), Talent Africa Group, Uganda Airlines, KCCA, PSFU, UN Global Pulse, Lemala Wild Waters, Speke Resort Convention Center and was organized by Talent Africa Group, Uganda’s leading 360 events Management Company.
