Omega 256 lights Up Kampala with dazzling Lugogo concert

With fireworks slicing through the Kampala sky and a live band electrifying Lugogo Cricket Oval, Omega 256 stepped onto the stage just past midnight last Friday with a clear message: the Queen of the West had arrived.

Her concert, simply titled Omega 256 Live in Concert, was both a celebration and a calculated statement, a bold step to expand her reach beyond Western Uganda into the heart of the capital. And for much of the night, it delivered.

At just 25, Omega, born Shamim Murerwa has carved out a distinctive space in Uganda’s music scene, blending traditional Runyankole sounds with contemporary Afropop rhythms. Despite occasional sound glitches and a crowd that fell short of capacity, her vocal clarity, commanding stage presence, and emotional generosity carried the show and kept fans engaged.

A relative newcomer, Omega burst onto the scene in 2018 with her breakout single Ninterwa. Since then, she has built a loyal following with hits like Keeza, Deep in Love, and the fan-favorite Weekend.

Her rise mirrors the growing influence of Western Uganda’s music movement, championed by artists such as Ray G and T-Paul. Friday’s concert, modest in scale but rich in intent, was another signal that the West is no longer content to remain on the sidelines of Uganda’s music conversation.

Her entrance was nothing short of regal: a silhouette backlit by fireworks, her voice gliding into Ninterwa as the band swelled beneath her. Dressed in a glittering white gown that shimmered under the lights, she opened with a set heavy on early-career hits, her vocals as crisp and expressive as on record.

For the second act, Omega reappeared in an emerald-green dress and invited a surprise guest, her father on stage.

Omega 256 introduces her dad to the audience

In a heartfelt moment, he thanked the audience for supporting his daughter and acknowledged the team behind the show. While some found the gesture unusual for a public concert, others embraced the intimacy it brought.

The night’s climax came with a crowd-thrilling collaboration alongside Cindy on See You Tonight. The chemistry between the two women was undeniable, their movements across the stage fluid and instinctive. It was the kind of performance that transforms a concert from memorable to unforgettable, as the crowd swayed, shouted, and sang along deep into the night.