Takeaways

• Africa One Tours & Travel officially launched the second edition of Safari Beats, titled the Riddim & Roar Experience.
• The massive concert is scheduled to hit Lugogo Cricket Oval on December 19, 2026, featuring stars like Jamaica’s T.O.K and Kenya’s Nazizi.
• International performers including T.O.K will go on a ten-day tour of Uganda’s national parks and kingdoms starting December 11.

Africa One Tours & Travel Ltd has officially launched the second edition of Safari Beats, dubbed the Riddim & Roar Experience, setting the stage for a major music and tourism celebration scheduled for December 19, 2026, at Lugogo Cricket Oval.

The launch took place at Kampala Serena Hotel on November 10, 2026, under the theme Where Music Meets the Wild, highlighting the event’s mission to combine entertainment with Uganda’s tourism potential.

The second edition will bring together an international lineup featuring Jamaica’s T.O.K, Kenya’s Nazizi and Wyre of Necessary Noize, alongside Redsan. Ugandan acts B2C, the Kampala Boys and A Pass will also take to the stage, creating a blend of mainstream, reggae and dancehall sounds from across the region.

According to Pauline Nahamya, Chief Executive Officer of Africa One Tours & Travel Ltd and Safari Beats, the event is designed to use music as a gateway to promoting Uganda as a tourism destination.

“ A fan may come here for a favourite artiste and discover our wildlife, food, culture and hospitality along the way. We want that visit to inspire a longer stay, a return trip, or a recommendation to a friend,” Nahamya said.

Taking tourism beyond the stage

Beyond the December concert, Safari Beats is expanding its tourism experience by giving international performers an opportunity to explore Uganda.

Jamaican group T.O.K is expected to arrive in Uganda on December 11 for a ten-day stay. Their itinerary will include visits to Uganda’s kingdoms, the River Nile and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, as well as a return trip to Murchison Falls National Park.

The visits are intended to give the artistes first-hand experiences of Uganda’s tourism attractions, which they can share with their international audiences, potentially inspiring more visitors to explore the country.

Safari Beats introduces dancehall mentorship programme

The second edition will also place emphasis on developing Uganda’s creative industry through its education platform, Kreative Chaos.

As part of the initiative, Safari Beats is introducing a Dancehall Mentorship Class at MoTIV, bringing together Ugandan dancehall artistes to explore the business side of the genre.

The session will focus on the decisions, professional realities and industry knowledge required to build sustainable music careers. Further details about the dates, registration and attendance will be announced through Safari Beats’ official social media platforms.

A daytime music and lifestyle experience

The December 19 concert will adopt a daytime format, with gates opening at midday, allowing guests to enjoy the venue, share meals and socialise before the performances begin.

Safari Beats has also introduced Wild Tickets, with selected ticket categories offering additional benefits such as food, drinks, branded merchandise and souvenirs, giving concertgoers more than just access to the performances.

Building on the success of the inaugural edition

The second edition builds on the pilot event held in May 2026, which was headlined by Jamaican dancehall star Spice.

The inaugural edition tested the Safari Beats concept while giving women the opportunity to take centre stage in the entertainment experience. The organisers say the lessons from the pilot have informed the expanded programme for the second edition.

Safari Beats Edition Two is supported by Nile Special, the Ministry of Tourism, the Uganda Tourism Board, Entikko Safari Lodge, Kampala Serena Hotel and Wazo Dazo.

With its combination of international music performances, cultural experiences, tourism excursions and creative industry development, the Riddim & Roar Experience aims to position Safari Beats as more than a concert, but a platform connecting music, travel and Uganda’s tourism industry.