Strictly Soul set to return

If Kampala’s nightlife scene has proven anything over the years, it is that no genre pulls emotions out of people quite like R&B. Give a crowd a heartbreak anthem, dim lighting, and a dance floor, and suddenly complete strangers are singing like they have survived the same relationship.

That atmosphere is set to return on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, as Strictly Soul makes its highly anticipated comeback to Méstil Hotel & Residences for a special Martyrs’ Day Eve edition.

Leading the entertainment lineup will be crowd favourites Eyo Mackus, Deejay Jo, DJ Bamos, and Strictly Soul founder Akio Kawahito, all expected to deliver a carefully curated night of classic slow jams, early 2000s nostalgia, and modern soul anthems.

Over the last two years, Strictly Soul, alongside its partners Johnnie Walker Blonde, has evolved from an ordinary nightlife event into one of Kampala’s most in-demand musical experiences. Unlike typical club nights built around fast trends and viral hits, Strictly Soul thrives on emotional connection, using music to trigger memories, nostalgia, and singalong moments that instantly unite the crowd.

From Usher, Alicia Keys, and Brandy to Beyoncé, SZA, Summer Walker, and Chris Brown, the event has built a reputation for transforming Kampala nights into giant emotional karaoke sessions where every lyric feels personal.

This edition places even greater focus on the DJs themselves, with internationally acclaimed selector Akio Kawahito returning to headline alongside some of Kampala’s most respected crowd movers.

For regular attendees, the DJs are the heartbeat of the experience. Their sets are less about randomly mixing songs and more about storytelling, carefully building emotional transitions that keep revelers locked into the moment from the first song to the final slow jam.

“R&B is one of the few genres people genuinely feel connected to,” Eyo Mackus said ahead of the event. “You can play a song from 15 years ago and the entire crowd will sing every lyric like it came out yesterday. That emotional connection is what makes Strictly Soul special.”

Adding even more energy to the night will be media personality Sheila Salta, whose signature charisma and crowd engagement are expected to blur the line between concert, party, reunion, and therapy session for music lovers.

The June edition will also continue its partnership with Johnnie Walker Blonde, with curated experiences expected throughout the night.