After three days of high-impact conferences, exhibitions, and showcases, the 9th edition of the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) concluded in style on Saturday, May 24, 2025, with a colorful music and cultural festival at the Lakeside Gardens, Speke Resort Munyonyo.
The grand finale, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, brought together music, fashion, comedy, and culture to celebrate Uganda’s vibrant heritage.
Headlining the evening were Blu *3’s iconic trio – Jackie Chandiru, Lillian Mbabazi, and Cindy Sanyu – alongside star performers like DJ Suuna Ben, Winnie Nwagi, comedy duo Madrat and Chiko, Aliddeki Brian, Abeeka Band, Crane Performers, DJ Tony, and Alpha Otim.
Hosted by Salvador Idringi, Adele Kiele, and Sheilla Gashumba, the day kicked off with a boating regatta experience on Lake Victoria. The mood was set by DJ Tony, followed by the Crane Performers, who gave a dynamic showcase of Uganda’s rich cultural diversity through music and dance.
Brian Aliddeki captivated the audience—especially international guests—with his fusion of traditional Ugandan sounds and contemporary melodies, performing hits like Empaako Ya Niwooha, Akasilikiro, and Njagala Nkwagale.
By 6 PM, the crowd was on their feet as Abeeka Band delivered a high-energy, 45-minute performance that earned them a five-minute encore. Comedians Madrat and Chiko followed with hilarious skits inspired by their travel experiences, earning roars of laughter from the audience.
A highlight of the closing ceremony was a fashion showcase curated by IGC (Iron and Charcoal), a trailblazing Ugandan label co-founded by Katende Godfrey. Their collection paid homage to Lubugo (barkcloth), blending tradition with modern sustainability to reimagine the material as contemporary fashion.
Alpha Otim, the pioneer of Acholitronix—a genre fusing Acholi instruments with electronic music—introduced his traditional Larakaraka sound to a new audience, drawing cheers from native speakers and cultural enthusiasts alike.
As night fell, Winnie Nwagi took the stage with an electrifying performance of hits including Gyangu, Musawo, Chekecha, Magic, Amaaso, and Batuleke, pulling fans close to the stage.
DJ Suuna Ben then unleashed an unforgettable 40-minute set. His signature Binyanyanya style had the entire audience, including foreign guests, dancing with abandon. Host Salvador Idringi tweeted afterward:
“I’ve hosted events before, but last night I was in awe… during the day, classy people… at night during Suuna’s set… all I saw was ‘kubakubakubakuba’… goosebumps! This man is who he says he is. I’ve allowed.”
The grand finale was crowned by a nostalgic and high-energy performance from Blu *3, who performed throwback anthems like Nsanyuka Nawe, Mutima Gwange, Hitaji, and Sanyu Lyange—a perfect close to the evening.
The Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo is Uganda’s flagship tourism showcase, promoting the country as a premier destination for investment, cultural exchange, and exploration. The event brought together travel agents, hospitality stakeholders, and global investors to promote Uganda’s brand as “The Pearl of Africa.”
The 2025 edition was sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda Tourism Board, Uganda Wildlife Authority, Skills Excel, Uganda Tourism Association, Uganda Wildlife Research and Training Institute, Uganda Waragi, IGC (official fashion curator), Talent Africa Group, Uganda Airlines, KCCA, PSFU, UN Global Pulse, Lemala Wild Waters, and Speke Resort Convention Center, and was organized by Talent Africa Group, Uganda’s leading 360 events management company.
