The much-hyped “Next Big Thing” was yesterday unveiled at Next Media’s premises, in an event graced by influencers, content creators, and music enthusiasts.

The powerhouse in events, Talent Africa, and their longstanding media partner, Next Media, once again created waves with a monumental announcement. They shared that the renowned British reggae band UB40 will grace Kampala with a live performance on December 21st.

The UB40 Concert is perfectly timed, coinciding with Next Media’s 15th anniversary of NBS TV. It promises to be a remarkable celebration of Uganda’s rich cultural diversity and unity.

Aly Allibhai, the CEO of Talent Africa Group, expressed his delight in the incredible outcomes of their partnership with Next Media, highlighting their successful collaborations such as Nyege Nyege and Afropalooza. He assured everyone that the UB40 Live in Kampala concert will be nothing short of one of the year’s most significant events.

With a musical journey spanning four decades, UB40, widely recognized for their unique fusion of reggae, pop, and rock, first landed in Uganda in February 2008, exactly 15 years ago, thanks to MTN Uganda’s support during the band’s 30th anniversary celebration. Many of us, including this writer, were in primary school at the time. The memorable show took place at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, formerly known as the Lugogo Cricket Field. It marked the last time lead singer Ali Campbell performed with the band before embarking on his solo career.

Interesting Facts:

  • UB40 was formed in 1978, deriving its name from the infamous British unemployment form issued by the UK government’s Department of Employment at the time.
  • Their 2008 Uganda concert was one of the most expensive in the country’s history, second only to the one by the US-based singer Jonathan Butler, with tickets priced at $70.6 each.
  • Surprisingly, UB40 did not perform their fan-favorite “Red Red Wine,” which left some attendees disappointed. There’s hope for a different outcome this time.

UB40’s classic catalog includes hits like “I Got You Babe,” “Kingston Town,” “Sing Our Own Song,” “Cherry Oh Baby,” “Can’t Stop Falling in Love,” and the beloved “Reasons.”

Save the date for December 21, 2023, as the UB40 Live in Kampala concert will take place at the Kololo Independence Grounds. Tickets for this highly sought-after event will be available next Tuesday, October 23, 2023, on Talent Africa’s ticketing platform.