Staff
By Our Reporter
Music icon ‘Sir/ Papa’ Mesach Semakula is set to celebrate five decades of life with a highly anticipated concert dubbed Mesach Semakula Live in 50 Years of Greatness, scheduled for November 13, 2026, at Kingdom Kampala.
The 50 Years of Greatness concert was announced last evening at the I&M Bank atrium, at the bank’s headquarters at Kingdom Kampala.
The launch was not your usual press conference. Instead, it took the form of a podcast.
The event was adapted as the second episode of I&M Bank’s On Your Side podcast series, and was hosted by the bank’s Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer, Sam Ntulume.
Besides announcing that I&M Bank is the official bank partner for the upcoming concert, Ntulume and Semakula took time off to reflect on the singer’s long musical journey.
Semakula was full of gratitude. He mentioned and thanked some of the key people in the arts sector, that have stood by him throughout his career. He mentioned names like Abbey Mukibi, singer Maria Ndagire, the late multi talented actor and politician- Kato Lubwama, and many others, who he said have contributed to his growth and success.
He also spoke warmly about the role his family has played in his journey, describing their support as an important part of the foundation on which his career has pivoted over the years.
Semakula also noted that, over the years, he has been able to mentor many people and helped nurture talents.
For Ntulume, Semakula’s 50-year milestone carries a special significance for I&M Bank, which also celebrated five decades of service- not so long ago.
“We understand what milestones mean. They represent years of resilience, growth, consistency and the ability to remain relevant through changing times,” Ntulume said.
Meanwhile, Semakula, on the other hand, promised fans an unforgettable experience, urging them to come prepared to enjoy authentic, original music.
“The concert is important to me because of the passion I have for music and my fans. I have prepared myself to perform for the people who have supported me throughout the years, but lost importantly to celebrate the 50 years God has give me,” he said.
I&M Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications- Annette Nakiyaga, said that the bank chose to partner with Semakula, to further cement its commitment to supporting Ugandans and their ambitions over the long term.
“Mesach is not just a music legend. He is empathy in human form. For over 30 years, he has sung our heartbreaks and our joys. He has reinvented himself when it was easier to quit. He has stayed on the side of every Ugandan, in markets, taxis, weddings, in the corporate world and nightlife. His music has been there when life happened. He understands what it means to show up year after year, with consistency and heart. That is exactly what I&M Bank promises to be,” Nakiyaga said.
The Mesach Semakula Live in 50 Years of Greatness Concert is expected to bring together his longtime fans, fellow musicians, friends, family and members of Uganda’s entertainment and local business communities, for an evening of celebration of unique artistry and a remarkable musical journey.
Tickets are already on sale, with ordinary access at Shs 150k, VIP tables at Shs 3m, while premium tables cost Shs 5m.
