By Our Reporter
If there is one thing Kampala’s nightlife crowd has mastered, it is turning nostalgia into a full-contact sport. Give people one classic R&B anthem, a dance floor, and a little emotional damage, and suddenly the entire room becomes a choir.
That energy returns on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, when Strictly Soul takes over Méstil Hotel & Residences once again for a special Martyrs’ Day Eve edition, headlined by an entertainment lineup led by Eyo Mackus, Deejay Jo, DJ Bamos, and Strictly Soul founder Akio Kawahito.
Over the last two years, Strictly Soul, in partnership with Johnnie Walker Blonde, has grown into one of Kampala’s most sought-after nightlife experiences by building entire nights around timeless R&B, soul, and feel-good nostalgia. From Usher and Brandy to Beyoncé, SZA, and Summer Walker, the event has become famous for creating moments where strangers sing like lifelong friends and heartbreak anthems suddenly feel deeply personal.
This June edition places special focus on the music selectors, with internationally acclaimed DJ Akio Kawahito returning to headline the night alongside local crowd favourites Eyo Mackus, Deejay Jo, and DJ Bamos.
The four DJs will be tasked with delivering a seamless musical journey through classic slow jams, early 2000s R&B, and contemporary soul hits.
For many fans, the DJs are a major part of what makes Strictly Soul different from any other night out. Rather than simply chasing trending songs, the selectors focus on storytelling through music, building emotional transitions that keep crowds fully immersed from start to finish.
“R&B is one of the few genres that people genuinely feel connected to,” said Eyo Mackus 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.”
Beyond the music, the night’s host, Sheila Salta, is expected to bring her signature charisma and crowd interaction that will turn the night into an experience that feels equally like a concert, karaoke session, and reunion for music lovers.
The June edition will also feature curated Johnnie Walker Blonde experiences throughout the night, continuing the brand’s partnership with the event.
“We launched Johnnie Walker Blonde at Strictly Soul, and it immediately blended in. Blonde’s vibrant, easy-going character aligns naturally with the atmosphere that Strictly Soul has become known for. Blonde is all about bold, easy energy, and that is exactly what you need on a public holiday eve because much like a great song, a great whisky has the power to transport you,” said Christine Kyokunda, Brand Manager, Johnnie Walker East Africa.
“Strictly Soul gives Kampala a reason to come together, let loose, and make memories that taste as good as the music sounds. This isn’t just a party; it’s a toast to the night before the day of reflection,” she added.
Tickets to the June 2 Strictly Soul edition are on sale on Quicket from UGX 50,000 for early bird access to UGX 100,000.