Following massive stops in Luanda, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Johannesburg, Abidjan and Lagos, the Trace Awards city tour made its stop in Kampala last Thursday at an exclusive event at Noni Vie restaurant and lounge.
Organized by Johnnie Walker and Airtel, the event celebrated fast- rising music star Joshua Baraka as Uganda’s sole nominee in this year’s Trace Music awards set for February 26 at the luxurious Mora resort in Zanzibar.
From hit singles that have dominated the airwaves, to a growing footprint across the continent, Baraka’s musical journey has been nothing short of phenomenal, earning him a well-deserved recognition.
Baraka is nominated in the Best Eastern Africa Artiste category alongside Kenya’s Bien, Ethiopia’s Rophnan and Tanzania’s Diamond Platinumz, Zuchu, Harmonize, Nandy and Marioo. The event attracted Uganda’s entertainment elite for a toast to Baraka’s remarkable achievements, with the evening sparking insightful conversations through a panel session.
“Joshua Baraka’s nomination is a proud moment for Uganda. It reflects the incredible talent we have in our country and proves that Ugandan music is gaining recognition on the international scene. This is just the beginning,” Uganda Breweries MD, Andrew Kilonzo, said.
Airtel PR manager David Birungi noted that with Uganda’s music industry growing rapidly, investments in digital accessibility, streaming platforms and smartphone penetration are crucial to unlocking new opportunities. Taking to the stage, an emotional Joshua Baraka reflected on his journey.
“This has been a journey of faith and hard work. It hasn’t been easy, but I am grateful for my team and everyone that has supported me along the way. I make music and represent Uganda in everything I do so; this nomination isn’t just for me, it is for Uganda and for every artiste pushing to be heard on the global stage.”
The 2025 Trace Awards will transform Zanzibar into a vibrant hub of music, culture and innovation and will also feature a two-day summit prior to the awards ceremony, which will focus on Africa’s creatives in technology and branding.
The awards have 24 categories for the most popular African music genres, artistes, cultures and creativity, with live broadcasts in English, French and Portuguese.
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