
Musician Manisul Ssemanda, alias King Saha performs for revellers during his concert at Lugogo Cricket Oval on January 24, 2025. PHOTOS/ ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
On Thursday, social media was left buzzing after police said it had halted King Saha’s concert.
“Today, Uganda Police Force has halted a local music event organized by Mr Benon Galabuzi of Umoja management where a musician popularly known as King Saha was to feature,” police spokesperson, Mr Kituuma Rusoke said in a statement.
Rusoke said their decision followed the recommendations of the joint security and national security technical team, which reportedly observed signs of “potential structural failure on the facility, likely to endanger public safety.”
The police, however, rescinded their earlier order by giving the show a green light on Friday after a closed-door with Saha, real name Manisul Ssemanda and the organizers.
“On January 23, 2025, the Uganda Police Force halted a local music event planned for January 24, 2025, organized by Mr Galabuzi Denis Benon of Umoja Management LTD. Today, a joint security team, along with the event organizers and venue managers, have met at the cricket oval to re-evaluate how the event can proceed while adhering to previously recommended safety measures,” Mr Kituuma said.
Following the said meeting, it was decided that the event would take place as scheduled at the cricket oval with the pavilion being prohibited due to its structural condition, which reportedly posed a risk to revelers.
This news, however, gave the event more publicity as revelers started making their way to cricket oval as early as midday.
By 9pm, King Saha had reportedly registered more than 20,000 people at his concert, making him one of the few local artists to fill the venue.
“I’m told this venue is not even enough for my fans, just like the proposed alternative venue is. However, next time I will talk to one of us to give us a bigger venue so that my fans can have a good time,” Saha said during his state performance at the show attended by National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
Saha, unlike other artists came on stage early. By 8.40 pm, he had started his first session after first sitting in a chair with a crown on his head symbolizing his reign as king. Four bouncers then lifted him to the front of the stage as he sung Nakyagala, his latest single.
He didn’t even spend a minute in the chair before jumping out to walk to confirm his presence. He then proceeded with songs like Signal, Teddy. Mulirwana, Mwana Gwe, Bebantu Baffe, Mpa Love, Biri Biri, Muwomya and Best Friend with Spice Diana.
In his session, he performed songs like Gundeze, Pretty Pretty, Bimala, Kunya with Mudra, Bwomu with Navio and Science, his collaboration with Winnie Nwagi.
After a break of about 30 minutes that also saw other artists filling in for him, including Vyroota, Roden Y, Fik Gaza, Feffe Bussi, AnKnown, Big Eye, Dax Vybz, Levixone and Mickie Wine, Saha returned at 11:40 for his last session where he did On My Way, Hello, Sala Pulesa, Zakayo and lastly Ebisera.
For most part of the show, the VIP section was on its feet singing along. Every time Bobi Wine’s picture who was the guest of honor was displayed on the screens, the reveler went wild.
Other artists who supported King Saha included Pallaso, Mark Da Urban, Acidic Vokoz and Topic Kasente among others.
“When police announced Thursday that they had halted this show, I wrote my Will. It had to happen by all means. Let me thank the DPC of Jinja Road Police Station for understanding the situation,” Saha added during the performance on stage.