Kampala’s creative heartbeat is set to thump louder tomorrow as the Johnnie Walker Afro Exchange Creative Summit rolls out at District 24, bringing together one of the most influential assemblies of music, fashion and storytelling voices the country has seen all year. The summit, themed Uganda’s Creative Identity in a Connected Africa, is already being hailed as a landmark moment for Uganda’s cultural economy, with a powerhouse lineup that represents the present and future of African creativity.
In the music space, fast-rising global star Joshua Baraka is expected to draw significant attention. His digital-first approach and expanding international reach have made him one of Uganda’s most promising contemporary exports. Baraka will sit alongside DJ Vans, whose reputation for turning performances into cultural experiences has cemented him as one of the most important curators on Uganda’s entertainment scene. The duo will be joined by producer Steve Keys, a key architect behind some of the industry’s most refined soundscapes, and Abasa, whose experience in music business, rights and management will open up deeper conversations about the systems that empower artists.
The fashion and visual culture segment will bring its own star power. Santa Anzo, one of Uganda’s most respected fashion voices, will speak about building legacies anchored in sustainability and mentorship. She will appear alongside fashion entrepreneur Abryanz, a key driver of African fashion visibility whose work continues to professionalise and celebrate the industry. Adding a bold edge to the conversation is Troy Elimu, better known as Denim Cartel, the designer who has turned upcycled denim into a cultural statement and a symbol of modern African identity. Rising creative Azarya will add fresh perspective on how street culture and collaboration are shaping a new generation of storytellers through fashion.
The summit’s storytelling pillar is equally commanding. Rebecca Nanjengo will tackle questions of quality, policy and perception in the creative economy, while Ezi, a visual and performance artist, will explore how Ugandan artistry can travel globally without losing its cultural soul. Multidisciplinary creative Xenson is expected to electrify the stage with insights on how cross-disciplinary collaboration is positioning Uganda as a cultural force.
Recognising the crucial role of media in shaping creative narratives, the summit will also host a special media roundtable. Douglas Lwanga, Sammy Wetala, Viana Indi, Andrew Kaggwa and other leading voices will unpack the state of Uganda’s creative landscape and what the Afro Exchange movement means for visibility, growth and global opportunities.
Johnnie Walker Brand Manager Christine Kyokunda says the summit is designed to spark industry-wide reflection and recalibration. She describes it as a moment for truth, vision and action. “The Afro Exchange Creative Summit is more than a conversation. It is a moment of reflection and a call to action. We are bringing together minds that are actively shaping culture to define where our creative industry must go next. This is the beginning of a bigger journey that will fully come alive when Kampala and Lagos connect through the Afro Exchange in 2026,” she said.
The summit is the official lead-up to the larger Afro Exchange movement, a long-term platform rooted in Johnnie Walker’s Keep Walking philosophy and built to drive cross-cultural collaboration across the continent’s most vibrant creative cities.
Tomorrow’s event will be streamed live on the Johnnie Walker Africa page and is expected to attract top creators, cultural tastemakers, industry leaders and emerging talent. For Kampala’s creative community, all roads lead to District 24, where ideas, identity and innovation will take centre stage.
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