The Amplify Uganda Music Expo (AUMEX) lit up MOTIV Kampala on Friday, drawing hundreds of creatives, music lovers, and industry experts for a day dedicated to celebrating and shaping Uganda’s fast-growing music industry. Held under the theme “Building a Scalable Future for Ugandan Music,” the event provided a dynamic space for dialogue, learning, and collaboration aimed at propelling the country’s creative economy forward.
Organized in partnership with Guinness Smooth and Talent Africa Group, AUMEX featured panel discussions, product showcases, and performances, all centered on how to build a sustainable and competitive Ugandan music ecosystem. From mastering music rights and royalties to strengthening brand partnerships and exporting talent, the expo covered every corner of the modern music business.
The day began with a hands-on UGATUNES demo led by CEO Shadrack Kisame, unveiling the local music distribution platform designed to empower Ugandan artists through digital access and fair revenue sharing. Attendees later joined the lively session titled “Stop Waiting to Be Discovered! What Artist Development Really Looks Like,” where experts unpacked what it takes to grow a long-term creative career.
Aspiring DJs also got a rare opportunity to sharpen their skills at the Ssese Nation DJ Workshop, while another panel on music royalties and publishing highlighted the critical role of metadata in ensuring artists get properly credited and compensated in today’s digital landscape.
As day turned to night, energy levels soared with the AUMEX Showcase, a vibrant concert spotlighting Uganda’s emerging stars. The show reached its climax when South African rap icon Nasty C hit the stage at 11 PM as part of his Ivyson Tour, thrilling the crowd with performances of fan favorites like “Strings and Bling,” “Soft,” and “SMA.” His charismatic stage presence and connection with fans left the audience in awe.
Speaking on behalf of Guinness Smooth, Denise Nazzinda reaffirmed the brand’s commitment to empowering youth through creativity:
“We believe in the power of creativity to transform lives. Through our ‘Make It Yours’ campaign, we’re giving young talent the platform and confidence to reimagine what’s possible.”
Aly Allibhai, CEO of Talent Africa Group, also praised AUMEX’s vision, saying:
“When I attended the first edition, I was inspired by the ambition of Uganda’s young creatives. Partnering with AUMEX allows us to nurture and train new talent while helping them scale their craft to reach global stages.”
The Ivyson Kampala Tour and AUMEX 2025 were powered by Talent Africa Group, Guinness Smooth, Toorly, NRG Radio, Mighty Rides, Fairway Hotel, SafeBoda, Africa Billboard, and Hype. Together, these partners underscored a shared mission — to elevate Uganda’s creative industry through innovation, collaboration, and bold self-expression.
