On Wednesday night, Wandegeya Junction was thrown into a frenzy, with neon colors, high energy, and massive impromptu crowds gathering to watch dancers sweat it out.
Two popular urban dancers, Basset Fame and Uncle Mayani, along with their crews, had taken an earlier social media debate over who is Uganda’s better dancer to the streets, Step Up style.
The disruption attracted passersby, and crowds formed around the dancers as they faced off.
What began as a dance battle climaxed into the launch of the upcoming Tusker Lite Neon Raves, which has now been elevated to a nationwide dance competition.
This year, the Tusker Lite Neon Raves will aim to find Uganda’s best dance crew. The neon raves have a reputation for showcasing the best in both music and dance, from DJ performances when they were first launched to routines by groups and solo dancers such as Party People, Dance Mamweta, and DVD AfroKing. They have consistently been the boiling point for a fresh kind of party.
Although Tusker Lite has long supported dancers, this is the first time the Neon Raves will feature a themed dance competition.
“This competition is our way of celebrating the unstoppable energy of Uganda’s dance culture. Launching it with a surprise flash mob right here in Wandegeya was intentional, this is where youth culture lives, moves, and sets the pace. Tusker Lite has always stood for bold self-expression, creativity, and living life in the moment, and we’re proud to create a national platform where dance crews from across the country can showcase their talent, represent their communities, and shine on a bigger stage. This is more than a competition, it’s a movement,” said Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite brand manager.
At the launch, the public got a sneak peek of what to expect at the Neon Raves competitions.
The challenger, Basset, made a dramatic entrance, literally stopping traffic as he approached the battle venue from Ntinda. He took a spot near the road and Rolex stalls, kicking off his dance routine.
Not to be outdone, Mayani and his crew joined in, and knowing his opponent excels when Amapiano plays, he switched things up with dancehall, then hip hop, before adding some Amapiano moves.
This proved a checkmate of sorts, but soon their crews joined, performing a rigorous routine that ended without a clear winner, as the group dispersed and invited the audience to join.
Other dancers, including Dance Mamweta and DVD Afro King, joined the party and picked sides, keeping the energy high.
The event concluded with the official launch of the Tusker Lite Neon Raves, whose auditions will start this month in cities across the country.
The night did not declare a winner, as the search for Uganda’s best dance crew has just begun.
