After nearly a decade away from the local music scene, celebrated singer and band icon Stecia Mayanja made a powerful comeback, thrilling fans with a stellar performance at her long-awaited ‘Hajjat Stecia Live Concert’ held at the Victoria Hall, Kampala Serena Hotel.
Powered by Stanbic Bank Uganda, the highly anticipated concert pulled in hundreds of cross-generational music lovers, filling the venue to capacity well before 7:30 PM. From the moment doors opened at 6:30 PM, the atmosphere was electric.
The evening kicked off with a nostalgic Deejay mix of Luganda classics by JJ Sound’s Selector Sula, keeping revelers on their feet as anticipation built. Among the early crowd-pleasers was viral TikTok sensation Teacher Kipopo, who, alongside his wife, danced joyfully to the opening tunes, energizing the crowd.
At exactly 8:10 PM, event hosts seasoned journalists Miles Rwamiti and Rebecca Jjingo stepped onto the stage with infectious vibrance, officially launching the party with the national anthem and playful banter that set the tone for a memorable night.
Without any curtain-raisers, Hajjat Stecia Mayanja made her grand entrance, glittering in a golden hijab, and opened her first set with the fan-favorite ‘Tuli mumpaka’. What followed was an emotionally charged and musically rich performance of her signature hits, including ‘kantuntunu’, ‘Ssisubira’, ‘Silinda Bidde’, ‘Allah Kareem’, ‘Ojira Olindako’, ‘Mwami Wange’, ‘Tosala Gwa Kawala’, and ‘Wandaludde’.
Seamlessly blending live band arrangements with dramatic skits, Stecia infused storytelling into her performance, amplifying the message of each song and keeping the audience deeply engaged.
A highlight of the night came when Singer Charles Ssekyewa joined Stecia for a powerful duet of ‘Wabanswaliza’, prompting an eruption of applause and dance. Ssekyewa followed up with solo performances of ‘Ebibimba Bbika’ and ‘Nva Kubagalana’ as Stecia took a brief break.
During the interlude, artists Shirah Nabansumba and Hajji Haruna Mubiru took the stage, performing crowd favorites ‘Ticket’, ‘Yegwe’, and ‘Binyuma’, keeping energy levels high.
Stecia returned for a culturally rich second session, this time adorned in traditional Kiganda attire. Her tribute to Ugandan heritage captivated the audience, blending rhythm and culture in a celebration of identity.
Jackie Abwol, Marketing Manager at FlexiPay, praised the concert as “a masterpiece that united both urban and traditional audiences, showcasing the true spirit of Uganda.”
The night continued with guest appearances by seasoned stars Catherine Kusasira and Ronald Mayinja, who took the audience on a nostalgic ride with their timeless hits, triggering sing-alongs and swaying memories.
Stecia then closed the night with a third and final set, making a stunning entrance in a white-and-gold hijab to perform her viral hit ‘Equalizer’. Her vocals soared and her energetic dance routines ensured no one remained seated. She wrapped up with high-octane performances of ‘Fitting’, ‘Kabalagala’, ‘Sofa Set’, Remote, Kawompo, ‘Kuma Figure’, ‘Kantinti, ‘Bitambula’, among others leaving the crowd exhilarated and asking for more.
Another highlight was when she performed some gospel music by Judith Babirye and Pastor Wilson Bugembe, saying they are a true reflection of what she has been through during her stay overseas.
The concert was graced by several dignitaries from the central government and the Buganda Kingdom, adding prestige to a night that marked not only Stecia Mayanja’s triumphant return but also a new chapter in Uganda’s live music scene.
