DJ Andy Skills gets the Nordic nod
For years, the DJ has quietly built a reputation in Uganda’s high-end entertainment and diplomatic circles. His journey began with Sudhir Ruparelia’s Speke Group, where he spent some time honing his craft before gradually finding his niche behind the decks.
DJ Andy Skillz on set
Nordic countries may be thousands of kilometres away from Uganda, but their fingerprints are increasingly visible across the country’s creative landscape—from music and fashion to technology and entrepreneurship.
So when the Nordic-Uganda Partnership Day descended on the Danish Ambassador’s residence in Kampala last Thursday, it was more than a diplomatic affair. It was a colourful showcase of creativity, innovation and culture—and DJ Andy Skills (Andrew Mumanya) found himself right at the centre of it.
Andy was selected to provide the soundtrack to the high-profile gathering, sharing the decks with Swedish international stars Mapei and Anthony Mills. For the Ugandan DJ, it was another international stage on which to carry the Ugandan flag.
The event, dubbed the Nordic Permaculture Festival, is a travelling celebration that rotates between Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Kampala hosted this year’s edition, with a strong focus on young people, creativity and the business of art.
Rapper Navio chats with guests at the Nordic-Uganda partnership day held at the Danish Ambassador's residence. Photo by Hajara Nalwadda
Spread across five colourful tents, the festival offered guests everything from visual art, fashion and food to music, technology and creative entrepreneurship. Unlike the conventional diplomatic gathering dominated by speeches and handshakes, the festival encouraged guests to participate, create, perform and interact. And Andy fitted neatly into that atmosphere.
Today, Andy is regularly recommended for international-brand events, diplomatic functions, embassies, luxury hotels, bars and restaurants.
His appeal is partly in his music selection and partly in his ability to operate under the radar. Unlike DJs who thrive on the noise and visibility of local nightlife, Andy maintains a relatively low profile. Catch him away from the decks and, thanks to his corporate dressing and understated appearance, you might never guess that he is a DJ. But put him behind the decks and the transformation is obvious.
His musical taste has taken him into spaces where the guest lists read like international directories, rubbing shoulders with presidents, ambassadors, ministers, doctors, general managers, diplomats and visiting international artistes..
He has performed at events such as the US Marines Ball and Irish Society functions, while also sharing stages and spaces with international artistes visiting Uganda.
At one point, he was gifted a US Marines T-shirt by Kevin Benson, an Under Secretary at the US Embassy a keepsake that speaks to the relationships he has built within Kampala’s diplomatic and international community.
Andy has also become a familiar name among international hospitality brands. He was behind the decks during the official opening of the Marriott International property in Kampala, where his music provided the soundtrack for a room packed with VIP guests. He has also been recommended for venues such as Mediterraneo in Kololo.
For Andy, however, the Nordic assignment represented more than another gig. It was another opportunity to represent Uganda on a platform built around international cultural exchange.
Uganda’s cultural relationship with the Nordic world is not new. Musicians such as the late Philly Bongole Lutaaya, Sammy Kasule and Maddox Ssematimba built significant careers in Sweden, helping create a musical bridge between Uganda and the Nordic region.