Bell Lager will lead sponsorship of Koffi Olomide’s concert in Gulu, putting a beer company’s festival brand at the centre of a major Independence Day weekend event. Open Mic Uganda is organising the show, set for Friday, October 9, at the Northern Pearl Hotel Garden along Gulu-Kitgum Road.
The concert is part of Obafest, Bell Lager’s beer festival platform built around music, food and entertainment. The festival is coming to Northern Uganda, where Congolese music icon Olomide will headline a programme featuring Ugandan performers. Bell Lager says its role goes beyond placing a logo on a poster: the company links the event to its support for music and cultural events, while its beer festival gives the concert a wider frame.
A Corporate Brand Takes the Lead
Lilian Kansiime, Brand Manager for Bell Lager, said the company was bringing the event to Gulu so local audiences could take part. “As Uganda’s very own beer, Bell Lager celebrates culture, social connection and the arts. Bell Obafest is a celebration of how Ugandans come together to enjoy music, beer and food,” Kansiime said.
She added: “By bringing the experience to Gulu in partnership with the Koffi Olomide concert, we are giving consumers in Gulu an opportunity to be part of that celebration.” Her words frame the event as a corporate-backed celebration and its audience as consumers. Open Mic Uganda organises the concert, but Bell Lager is the lead premium sponsor, and the beer brand owns the festival platform.
Kansiime said the partnership reflected Bell Lager’s support for live music and the creative arts. “The partnership for the Koffi Olomide concert in Gulu reflects our commitment to bringing premium music experiences to consumers. We are proud to support Open Mic Uganda in delivering an international performance of this scale alongside the Ugandan artists who will share the stage,” she said.
Who Gets the Stage
Olomide is regarded as a prominent figure in Congolese rumba and soukous. His catalogue includes “Loi,” “Effrakata,” “Papa Bonheur,” “Tcha Tcho” and “Selfie.” Organisers said audiences would see him perform some of his best-known songs alongside musicians and dancers.
Ugandan artists joining him on stage include dancehall singer Cindy, Eezzy, Batman, Jelly G and Lucky David. Comedian Patrick Salvado will host. Local performers share the programme with an international headliner, while Bell Lager’s commercial platform remains central to the event’s sponsorship and festival identity.
The concert takes place during Uganda’s Independence Day holiday weekend and is expected to attract audiences from Gulu and neighbouring districts, as well as visitors travelling to Northern Uganda for the holiday. Gates open at 2 p.m. Friday. The programme runs until 4 a.m. Saturday, October 10.
A Festival Outside Kampala
Major music events staged outside Kampala are growing in number, giving audiences elsewhere in the country access to international and local performers. Here, that access comes through a concert organised by Open Mic Uganda and backed by Bell Lager’s Obafest brand. The announcement gives no details about ticket prices or how organisers will handle proceeds; it names the performers, organiser, sponsor, venue and schedule.
For Gulu audiences, the announced programme brings Olomide and Ugandan performers together for an overnight show. For Bell Lager, the concert extends its branded festival to Northern Uganda and connects its beer, food and entertainment platform with the holiday weekend. The stage is shared; the sponsorship isn't.