For years, Uganda’s live band culture existed on the fringes of the entertainment scene, largely confined to lounges, bars and late-night hangouts where musicians performed other artists’ songs as crowds unwound.
But that narrative is steadily changing, with bands such as Abeeka emerging as key players in Kampala’s evolving nightlife.
After five years of building a reputation as one of the city’s most dependable live acts, Abeeka Band is now stepping into new territory, with its first standalone concert, Roots and Vibes, slated for May 2 at Ndere Cultural Centre, alongside the release of original music.
For the band, the milestone signals more than just a performance.
“We are extremely happy that people have embraced live bands,” says one of the band members. “Live band music has become a thing right now. It has grown from bands being an average thing, bands not being respected, to where we are right now. And I believe we are still growing.”
The shift reflects a broader transformation in Kampala’s entertainment landscape, where live bands have become increasingly visible across popular districts such as Bugolobi, Kololo and Bandali Rise.
For Abeeka, this growing presence underscores the sector’s potential.
“This is our first concert,” the band says. “That means we are still going to do more concerts. Other bands have not even done concerts yet. That means the live band scene is still growing.”
Breaking from the cover band label
Despite their success, Abeeka acknowledges the limitations that come with being labelled a cover band.
The group has built a following by performing renditions of songs by artistes such as Maddox Sematimba and Afrigo Band, alongside reggae, dancehall and Afrobeat sets. They have also experimented with amapiano, though not all attempts resonated with their audience.
“We tried playing amapiano,” one member says with a laugh. “We retired it because of our audience.”
The band now hopes to shift perception by introducing its own music.
“We want to take that away from people’s minds,” they say. “We want to have our own music.”
Their sound, they explain, blends multiple influences.
“Abeeka does fusion Afro. We fuse music, and we are still looking for our sound as well.”
The upcoming concert is expected to showcase both their roots in live interpretation and their emerging identity as original artists.
Navigating copyright concerns
Abeeka’s transition comes amid growing debate over copyright and performance rights within Uganda’s live music scene.
As bands attract larger audiences and commercial backing, some artists have questioned the use of their music in live performances.
The band says it recognises the concerns, but also highlights the role live performances play in reviving songs.
“Band music has really helped this industry a lot,” one member explains. “There are songs people had forgotten until bands started playing them again. Some artists even ask us, ‘Can you please help me and play it?’”
They add that most complaints are expressed publicly rather than directly.
“We hear people complain on TV or in interviews. But if they say, ‘Don’t play our songs,’ of course we won’t.”
According to the band, the current copyright framework places responsibility on venues rather than performers.
“The law says the place where a band performs needs a licence to either play or perform the music,” they explain. “That means the venue pays for everyone who performs there, whether it is a DJ, karaoke or a live band.”
They note that they are open to complying with any future regulatory changes.
“If there is a law that says we have to pay or follow a certain system, we shall comply.”
Still, Abeeka maintains that recognition remains a central issue.
“We want to grow to the level where a band is looked at as an artist. Not just ‘it’s a band.’ A band should be respected like an artist.”
Commercial backing signals shift
The band’s rise has also attracted corporate interest, with brands such as The Singleton and Tusker Malt Lager backing the upcoming concert.
Abeeka says the partnerships are the result of sustained effort.
“It’s something we’ve been craving and praying for for years, to get people around us who can push us,” they say.
They add that previous collaborations helped build trust.
“They know what Abeeka Band is capable of doing. They saw it fit because we were matching in terms of energy, and their goals are also spreading out in nightlife.”
Industry observers say such endorsements point to the growing commercial value of live bands, which are increasingly seen as cultural products rather than background entertainment.
A growing movement
Abeeka plans to make Roots and Vibes a recurring event, ideally twice a year, depending on audience reception.
Their ambitions mirror the broader trajectory of Uganda’s live band scene.
“There was a time when DJs were everything. Then other sounds came. Now it is the band trend,” one member reflects. “People change. Music changes. Maybe tomorrow it will be karaoke. But right now, people love live music.”
As the band prepares to take the stage on May 2, it hopes to redefine its place in the industry, positioning itself not just as a group that performs other people’s songs, but as an artist in its own right.
It should be noted that Next Media Services through NBS, alongside AfroMobile, has partnered with Abeeka Band as official media partners for “Roots & Vibes Live in Kampala.
