From Kawempe to Mbale - Joshua Baraka Brings B’rakaland Home

There is something special about watching an artist return to the people with the music that changed his life.

On Saturday night in Mbale, Joshua Baraka stood on stage at Bandali Lounge and watched hundreds of fans sing his songs back to him, word for word. For a young man who grew up in Kawempe and only a few years ago was still introducing himself to Uganda’s music audience, it was a moment that felt bigger than just another concert.

It was a reminder of how far he has walked and how much further he is going.

Before 2023, Baraka was still a relatively unfamiliar name outside Uganda’s emerging music circles. Then came Nana, the song that changed the conversation around him and opened the door to a much bigger audience.

Today, he is one of Uganda’s most recognisable young musical exports, with a growing East African and international following.

And on Saturday, Mbale got its own taste of Barakaland, the Mbale leg of the Brakaland EA Tour, his first major tour across Uganda, which brought the singer to Bandali Lounge, where revellers started arriving as early as 4pm, eager to see the man behind some of the region’s biggest contemporary hits.

Friends arrived in groups, couples settled in, and fans gradually took over the space as anticipation for Baraka’s appearance built.

“I think if they are looking for his number one fan across the world, I would come in first,” one excited reveller said, capturing the mood of a crowd that had clearly come to do more than simply watch a performance.

The night also carried the unmistakable feel of a Johnnie Walker celebration.

Guests were treated to a curated experience featuring the brand’s portfolio, with cocktails and whisky served throughout the evening. Some opted for shots or neat pours, while others went for cocktails as the night gathered pace.

The music filled the venue, and revellers danced through the night, creating an atmosphere that could easily have been mistaken for a packed Saturday night in Kampala.

For Johnnie Walker, the Mbale celebration was also part of its wider Keep Walking philosophy and its association with Baraka, who was recently unveiled as the brand’s Icon Walker.

“Joshua Baraka is not only the face of our new Keep Walking campaign; he is living proof of progress, a philosophy that is deeply ingrained in the DNA of Johnnie Walker. We are taking this journey with him, and it was only natural that we show up and go all out for him,” said Johnnie Walker Brand Representative Julius Ssennungi.

Baraka walked onto the stage and opened with What Do I Know, immediately pulling the crowd into his world.

There was little warming up required; by the time he got to Wrong Places, his globally recognised hit, the audience was already fully invested. Fans sang along, danced and reached towards the stage as Baraka moved through his catalogue.

He followed with favourites including Dalilah, Nana, Dreams, Morocco, This Time and Dive In, turning Bandali Lounge into a giant singalong.

For a performer whose appeal has travelled far beyond Uganda, there was something particularly fitting about hearing a Mbale crowd claim the songs as their own.

They were not simply watching Baraka perform. They knew the words. They knew the melodies. They had made the songs part of their own lives.

He moved comfortably across the stage, engaging the crowd and delivering the songs with the confidence of an artist who has grown considerably since Nana first put his name on the map.

Baraka closed the performance with Yoyo, giving the crowd one final rush of energy before bringing the show to an explosive finish.

By the time he left the stage, Bandali Lounge had been transformed from a nightlife spot into a temporary home for Brakaland.

For Baraka, though, Mbale is only one stop on a much bigger journey; the Brakaland EA Tour now moves to Mbarara before heading back to Kampala for its grand finale at the Hockey Grounds on November 28.