On Wednesday night, Wandegeya Junction turned into an electric stage of neon lights, pounding music and high energy as dancers brought traffic and passersby to a standstill.
What started as a social media rivalry between two popular urban dancers, Basset Fame and Uncle Mayani, quickly spilled onto the streets in true Step Up style. The pair, each backed by their crews, had been trading claims online about who is Uganda’s better dancer. On Wednesday, they chose to settle it in the heart of Kampala.
Crowds gathered as the two crews faced off in an impromptu street battle that drew cheers, phone cameras and curious onlookers. But the dramatic showdown was more than just a clash of dance styles. It climaxed into the official launch of the 2026 Tusker Lite Neon Raves, now elevated into a nationwide dance competition.
This year, the Tusker Lite Neon Raves will set out to find Uganda’s best dance crew.
Known for blending high octane music with cutting edge dance culture, the Neon Raves have built a reputation as a breeding ground for bold performances. From DJ showcases at their inception to standout routines by groups and solo dancers such as Party People, Dance Mamweta and DVD AfroKing, the platform has consistently delivered a fresh kind of party experience, while championing celebration with responsibility.
Although Tusker Lite has worked closely with dancers over the years, this marks the first time the Neon Raves will feature a fully fledged 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 are 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 is a movement,” said Sandra Againe, Tusker Lite Brand Manager.
The launch itself gave the public a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming auditions.
Basset Fame made a dramatic entrance, bringing traffic to a near halt as he advanced from the Ntinda side when the lights turned green. Taking position near the roadside Rolex stalls, he kicked off the battle with a high intensity routine that immediately pulled in the crowd.
Uncle Mayani was not about to be outshined. Aware that Basset thrives on Amapiano, Mayani cleverly switched up the tempo with dancehall and later hip hop before eventually taking on Amapiano with his own flair. The tactical shift kept the crowd guessing and raised the stakes.
Soon, both crews joined in, delivering a fierce, synchronized routine that blurred the line between competition and celebration. In the end, there was no declared winner. Instead, the dancers invited the audience to join the spectacle.
Dance Mamweta, DVD Afro King and other notable performers jumped into the mix, picking sides and turning the junction into a full blown neon rave.
As the music faded and the crowd slowly dispersed, one thing was clear. The battle may not have produced a winner, but it officially ignited the search for Uganda’s best dance crew. Auditions for the Tusker Lite Neon Raves competition are set to kick off across different cities this month, marking the beginning of what promises to be a nationwide dance movement.
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