GULU CITY, February 18, 2025 – Global humanitarian organisation Adventure for Humanity, in partnership with the Music in Space Foundation, is set to make history in Northern Uganda by holding a groundbreaking concert. This event will serve as a powerful platform for climate action, cultural empowerment, and economic growth.
Supported by Uganda’s top leadership, the concert is set to transform Gulu City into a dynamic creative hub and a must-visit tourist destination, where music and art will raise awareness about environmental issues and generate social and economic opportunities.
During the event, Gulu City, one of the cleanest cities in Uganda, will be honoured to host four internationally renowned musicians in an event never before seen in any African country. Legendary American musician Lionel Richie, Sister Sledge, Nigerian music icon Burna Boy, and Davido, along with local artists, will rock Northern Uganda this year. Though the exact date has yet to be confirmed, the event is expected to take place from May 30 to June, 9 2025.
Concert receives endorsement of leaders
This remarkable initiative has received full endorsement from Uganda’s key leaders, including the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, and other political, and security leaders in Northern Uganda.
Under the leadership of Executive Director Winifred Patricia Johansen, a proud daughter of Gulu, this collaborative effort brings together local leaders and influencers to ensure the concert becomes a catalyst for lasting change in Gulu and the rest of Acholi Subregion. ”The historic event will mark a monumental moment in Gulu’s cultural and economic development,” she said.
International team behind the event
The concert is powered by an exceptional international team of visionaries:
Richard Nilson, President of Adventure for Humanity, is leading the charge to ensure long-term, sustainable change for Gulu’s community.
Bjorn Vido, Sound Designer and Filmmaker, is at the forefront of efforts to rebrand Gulu as a thriving cultural and tourist destination.
Kgomotso Gobeni, South African Producer and Digital Strategist, is focused on empowering creatives by leveraging social media, marketing, and branding to build opportunities for local talent.
Why this concert matters
This event is not just about music; it is part of a global movement aimed at:
- Raising Climate Change Awareness: Using the power of music and art to educate communities about sustainability and environmental responsibility.
- Empowering Local Businesses: Providing direct economic benefits to vendors, hospitality services, transport providers, and local entrepreneurs.
- Supporting Youth & Creative Talent: Offering a platform for emerging local artists, musicians, and filmmakers to showcase their skills to a global audience.
- Attracting Tourism & Investment: Repositioning Gulu as a vibrant centre for arts, culture, and eco-tourism, which will attract both international visitors and investment.
Join the movement
The world is watching, and Gulu is ready to shine. We invite organisations, brands, and individuals to join us on this historic journey of transformation. Be part of something truly meaningful. Stay tuned for the official event lineup and more details.
Nelson, who also serves as a board member of the Music in Space Foundation, stated that the initiative for humanity was inspired by Nelson Mandela and Michael Jackson in 1999 to fight climate change globally.
He further noted that besides bringing this mega concert to Gulu City in Northern Uganda, they are emphasising the core objectives. Over the years, many activities have raised awareness about climate action, but it hasn’t been enough for the locals to fully grasp the information. Using music and sports to spread the message is a good move to address the region’s challenges.
“The concert is also expected to support cultural heritage and tourism. Over 1,000 schoolchildren in the region will be assisted, with 250,000 expected to attend in person and 2 million others attending online,” Nelson revealed.
Bringing legendary international artists as role models for the youth in the region, who are the most affected by climate change and environmental degradation, will give them hope and encourage them to use music as a channel for protecting the environment, he added.
“More than 100,000 schoolchildren in Uganda will benefit from education support as part of the climate action awareness raised,” he noted.
Nelson also promised to plant millions of trees in Northern Uganda as part of the pre-concert activities. This initiative will unite the local people around environmental conservation efforts.
Dr Winifred Patricia Johansen Loum, a daughter of the region now living in Norway and coordinator of the mega concert, said, “I have partnered with Adventure for Humanity and Music in Space to help my people fight climate change by using music to spread the message.”
According to a report by the U.S. Agency for International Development [USAID] covering 2012-2017, 41 percent of Uganda’s land area is experiencing degradation, with 12 percent suffering from severe degradation, causing soil erosion and contributing to the adverse impacts of climate change.
“Using music and sports to broadcast a massive call for action is a way to unite all the people of Northern Uganda to speak the same language on climate change. Music transcends language barriers and is a universal tool for communication that unites people better than simple information dissemination,” Loum stated.
She urged the people of Northern Uganda not to wait for handouts but to unite together as one family for a common goal. “We must not destroy our environment out of desperation for short-term survival,” she added.
Beyond the concert, climate change awareness also addresses several key goals, including providing economic benefits to vendors, hospitality services, transport, and empowering youth, offering local artists the opportunity to shine on the global stage.
According to Minister Mao, who officially launched the mega concert at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala this month, Gulu City and the entire Acholi Subregion are suffering from the effects of climate change and the aftermath of conflict, but they will have the chance to showcase their rich culture during the concert.
“The mega concert will be an opportunity for local businesspeople to showcase their products and for people from all over the world to learn about the unique cultural richness of Acholi,” Mao said.
He also highlighted that the concert could provide Ugandan youth with an international platform to showcase their talents and collaborate with legendary international musicians to make the campaign a success.
According to a 2023-2024 report by the Ribe Pi Paco [RPP] advocacy group based in Northern Uganda, approximately 40% of the trees and forests in Acholi have been cut down by commercial charcoal dealers, putting the region at risk of worsening climate patterns.
Local artists respond to climate action initiative
Musician Aggrey Layeng Fortune, known by his stage name Laxzy Mover, said that artists and youth are the serious agents of change who can contribute to greening Gulu City.
“Ignorance and knowledge gaps among youths are still challenges for climate change action. Many youths rely on forest resources and wetland farming, which risks further damage to the environment. Using music and sports to spread awareness will help communicate this message to grassroots levels,” he explained.
Layeng called on all local creative artists in Acholi to collaborate and embrace the initiative, viewing it as an opportunity to promote their music while advocating for climate action.
Another local artist, Polite Mosko, a dancehall artist from Gulu, said sharing a stage with international musicians like Burna Boy is a dream come true for Acholi artists. He encouraged fellow musicians to seize this opportunity for collaboration with global stars while creating awareness about climate change.
Reporting by Romeo Lil Okot
https://thecooperator.news/ministry-of-education-maintains-ban-on-music-artists/
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