British-born Ugandan spoken word artist and poet George Mpanga, widely known as George The Poet, captivated the audience in Kampala with his compelling poems and rap performances during his event, Once Upon A Time Kampala, held at Motiv in Kampala on Friday, December 22, 2023.

The show featured outstanding performances by Ugandan poets, including Angel Kabera, Ebrahim Soul'O, Destiny The Midnight Owl, Hawa Kimbugwe, Benji, Lucky, Wake The Poet, David The Poet and Jason Ntaro, who illuminated the night.

Noteworthy moments included Ebrahim Soul'O's captivating romantic song accompanied by eloquent guitar strings, Hawa Kimbugwe's recitation of Mukwano Sumulukuka, Lucky's rendition of her poem Sensation, and Jason Ntaro's electrifying poem Saved by the Spirit.

George's rhyming poems and raps took centre stage, primarily addressing African independence and self-discovery.

Another highlight was the audience's engagement with his podcast, Once Upon A Time in Kampala, which stirred excitement among revellers.

Reflecting on the podcast, George explained that it envisioned the challenges Ugandans faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, encompassing hunger, suffering, arrests, and death.

Revellers listening to George The Poet's podcast at Motiv in Kampala. Photo by Hussein Kiganda

When asked why he chose Kampala for the listening session, he emphasised the importance of connecting with his roots, collaborating with local poets, and discovering new talents to illuminate the global stage.

"I wanted to provide a platform for the emerging and young poets in Uganda. There are numerous poets here whom I respect, and I wanted to showcase their talents to the world. I also aimed to share some of my work and inspire poets here," he expressed.

George called upon other creatives in the diaspora to reconnect with their roots, inspire, and support the younger generation, uplifting the talents present in Uganda.

He advised young creatives in Uganda to embrace creativity and honesty, emphasising that this would lead to significant success.

George is renowned for his podcast, Have You Heard George's Podcast? on the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).