On the calm evening of Saturday, 11th October 2025, as the sun melted into a warm orange glow, Afrikanity opened its gates to a vibrant gathering at the offices of the African Golden Cat Conservation Alliance (AGCCA), also home of Afrikanity in Akright City. The air carried the rhythm of laughter, and conversation as guests began to arrive dressed in the theme of the day African wear. By 7:00 p.m., the compound had transformed into a living tapestry of colour, texture and sound. Afrikanity is a programme and a living movement that uses African culture (including food, music, art, storytelling, fashion and design, hair and beauty) to keep African roots alive, while celebrating heritage and nurturing communal responsibility for nature, culture, and wildlife conservation, especially in today’s rapidly changing urban world. The launch evening reflected these ideals in every detail: the dress, the food, the décor, the open-air setup, the live music that wrapped around guests like an old familiar song, and a fireside storytelling session.
Welcoming remarks came from Mwezi “Badru” Mugerwa, the founder of Afrikanity. standing beneath the soft glow, he spoke with warmth and conviction: “The general public is disconnected from nature and their culture, so we started fun African-themed events including music, art, food, storytelling, travel, hair and beauty, fashion, and poetry while inspiring our communal responsibility and stewardship for African nature, culture, and wildlife.” His words resonated through the space, setting the tone for the evening. Mugerwa later took guests on a guided walk through the home, showcasing various works from creatives whose art forms each carry a piece of Afrikanity’s vision of reconnecting the urban public with Nature through African culture. Paintings, sculptures, shoes, shirts, and textiles adorned the rooms, every piece a whisper of ancestry and pride.
Afrikanity was launched as a lifestyle brand and an open-door concept, a place where anyone can live, visit, express, speak freely about their roots and where they come from, and reflect on their responsibility towards Nature. Mugerwa shared stories of their journey, the creative collaborations that have shaped the brand, and the team that continues to nurture it. Over time, Afrikanity has teamed up with remarkable talents including Kenneth Mugabi and Big Tril in music, Peter Tribes as painter, Bob Nyanzi and LubegArt as visual artists, and Grace from NzuriAfrik and Mbabazi House of Style representing African fashion, Enviri za nacho representing African hair and beauty, Mr president to represent the little ones and more. Together, they embody the idea that art and content creation is not only expression but preservation. The event drew in some of Uganda’s most creative minds artists, painters, photographers, environmental enthusiasts, African hair and beauty specialists, writers, journalists and designers. The night unfolded as a living exchange of ideas and experiences, all framed under the African sky. Through storytelling, song, and conversation, guests shared what African culture means to them, and the environment around them, not as an abstract idea, but as something felt and lived every day.
Then came the dinner, one of the evening’s most anticipated moments. The aroma of steaming food filled the air, a familiar scent that felt like home. Meals were served in banana leaves, prepared in the same ways our ancestors did, steamed, roasted, and lovingly made from food grown by the people of the land. The tables were simple yet elegant, decorated. Local brew and banana juice were poured into gourds, evoking memories of communal gatherings and long nights by the fire. Every bite was a story, every sip a bridge between past and present.
When Kenneth Mugabi took to the stage, the night deepened with music and emotion. His soulful voice filled the air as he performed some of his most beloved songs Naki, Sanyu, and Kibunomu melodies that have already left an indelible mark on Ugandan music. Through Afrikanity, Mugabi offered his audience yet another reason to fall deeper in love with his art. His set featured People of the Land, Wunyingya, Kibunomu, Naki, Muvubuka, The Bride and Warrior, The People of the Land album, and Nambi, among others. Between songs, he paused to display his skill on the guitar and tube fiddle, weaving rhythm and feeling into the night air. At one point, he performed an acapella that lasted more than ten minutes raw, haunting and unforgettable. Just as the audience settled into the rhythm, Big Tril made a surprise appearance. His energy was electric, he delivered a thrilling rendition of Parte After Parte, sending waves of excitement through the crowd. The blend of Mugabi’s soulful sound and Big Tril’s hip-hop pulse created a rare harmony and a collision of tradition and modern rhythm that perfectly captured Afrikanity’s essence: a celebration of where we come from and where we are going.
Later in the night, the crowd moved towards the Kyooto, the traditional fireplace glowing softly under the moonlight. Each guest carried their gourd, and as they gathered around the fire, the mood turned reflective. Flames danced as people shared stories passed down through generations, recounted ancestral wisdom, and spoke of how culture and creativity shape their lives. Artists revealed the inspirations behind their work, while others listened, nodding, smiling, and roasting maize together. The crackling fire became a metaphor for the spirit of Afrikanitywhich is alive, warm and unending.
In the flickering light, Mwezi Mugerwa and his team took a moment to thank everyone and share the broader vision once more. Afrikanity, he reminded them, is a movement that aims to restore the bond between people, nature and culture in the modern world. As the evening drew to a close, laughter and soft conversation lingered in the air. Guests hugged, exchanged contacts, and promised to meet again. The scent of wood smoke clung gently to their clothes which was a reminder of the fire they had sat around, the stories they had heard and the roots they had touched once more. Through Afrikanity, Mwezi Mugerwa and his team continue to inspire communal responsibility for nature, wildlife and cultural conservation in an urban age that often forgets its origins. In every song, every shared story and every creative act, Afrikanity calls its people home, back to the heart of who they are, and where it all began.