Renowned Jamaican dancehall star Vybz Kartel, real name Adidja Azim Palmer, is set to perform in Uganda as part of his upcoming East African tour under the Talanta East Afrika Festival.
According to organisers, the regional tour will kick off in Kampala on May 1, 2026, where Kartel will headline a major concert at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, one of the country’s most iconic live entertainment venues.
During the Kampala show, the global dancehall icon will share the stage with a lineup of Ugandan performers including Elijah Kitaka, Aaronx, Cindy Sanyu, DJ Lito, Etania Mutoni, and popular DJ duo Slick Stuart and Roja, among others.
After the Uganda leg, Kartel will head to Kigali on May 2 for a performance at the BK Arena, before wrapping up the regional tour in Nairobi on May 8 at Laurette Gardens in Kasarani.
Organisers describe Talanta East Afrika Festival as more than just a concert series. The initiative is designed as a cross border cultural experience celebrating East Africa’s music, fashion, cuisine and artistic expression while bringing together audiences from across the region.
“Talanta East Afrika Festival is about creating a platform that unites East Africans through music, culture and shared identity,” said Bushington of Tunez Records Uganda, one of the festival’s lead organisers.
“We believe the region has incredible talent and cultural energy, and this festival is designed to showcase that power to both regional and global audiences.”
Organisers say the event will combine live performances with digital storytelling across platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp, alongside influencer collaborations leading up to the May tour dates.
Beyond entertainment, Talanta East Afrika Festival is being positioned as a regional economic catalyst. Organisers say the initiative aims to drive tourism and hospitality revenue in host cities, create employment opportunities in production and the creative sector, and stimulate local fashion, food and nightlife economies.
While Vybz Kartel will headline the festival, organisers say the full lineup of East African performers will be revealed gradually in the coming weeks as more artists and collaborators come on board. The festival is expected to feature a mix of established and emerging talents from across the region, highlighting the diversity and vibrancy of East Africa’s evolving music scene.
Talanta East Afrika is also working with Rolling Stone Africa as its official media partner, with the publication expected to amplify coverage of the festival across the continent.
As anticipation builds ahead of the May 2026 tour dates, the festival is already shaping up to be one of the most ambitious cross border cultural events in the region’s recent entertainment calendar.
