Nigeria’s growing natural hair industry includes enterprising professionals like Happiness Okorie, who recently styled Chimamanda Adichie’s hair. For years, Okorie had suffered from burns on her scalp due to using harsh relaxers. Then one day, she said ‘no more!’. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Happiness Okorie’s dream came true …
Read More »How Uganda’s Music Industry bailout ended up under investigation
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | In January 2026, President Yoweri Museveni made headlines with what was framed as a lifeline to Uganda’s struggling creative industry: a UGX 1.5 billion donation to the Uganda Music Promoters SACCO (UMPS). Announced as a revolving, low-interest loan fund, the money was intended to …
Read More »Baileys elevates gifting this Valentines with a personalized Baileys Gifting Pop-up
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Baileys is giving its consumers the perfect gifting solution to treat their loved ones with a unique Baileys gifting pop-up experience at Kisementi this Valentine’s week. Best known for turning everyday moments into indulgent treating occasions, …
Read More »Bold & Precise: A printmaking exhibition at AKA gallery
The group exhibition explores the different techniques of the medium while emphasizing the relevance of this centuries old art form in the contemporary times ARTS | DOMINIC MUWANGUZI | Printmaking is a centuries-old medium that involves intricate and rigorous creative processes like sketching, carving, layering and inking to create stunning …
Read More »Song Review: Umufumbirakazi by Sir Kisoro
COMMENT | WILSON MANISHIMWE | Umufumbirakazi by Hayes Willit Mugisha, commonly known as Sir Kisoro, is one of those songs that don’t rush but instead settle in quietly and let the message unfold, staying with a listener long after it ends. In the song, Sir Kisoro leans into what he …
Read More »IShowSpeed and African content creators go beyond “safaris and suffering”
IShowSpeed’s livestreamed Africa tour adds to the work that African digital influencers have been doing in recent years to capture the continent beyond clichéd images of poverty and conflict. SPECIAL REPORT | BIRD AGENCY | Under the bronze gaze of the African Renaissance Monument in Dakar, the American content creator …
Read More »South African Netflix star Thapelo Mokoena to visit Uganda next month
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | South African actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur Thapelo Mokoena will visit Uganda from 12th to 16th February 2026. The five-day visit, organised by Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) and the Ikon Film and Television Awards, is a part of the 2026 Ikon Film and Television Awards roadmap, …
Read More »Paramount sues Warner Bros. over deal with Netflix
LOS ANGELES | Xinhua | Paramount Skydance on Monday sued Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) over its deal with Netflix, marking the latest move in its efforts to gain control of the Hollywood media and entertainment conglomerate. Filed in a Delaware court, the lawsuit seeks to compel WBD and its Chief …
Read More »Inside Uganda’s video halls, ‘video jokers’ transform Hollywood blockbusters into local entertainment
SPECIAL FEATURE | DAMIEN POLLARD | If you walk into a video hall in Uganda your attention will probably go straight to a person sitting at the front of the audience. Speaking rapidly into a microphone, they comment loudly and continuously, often drowning out the sound of the film …
Read More »CIROC brings style and ultimate vibes to Supremacy Lounge with Abryanz
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Bathed in blue hues, crisp whites and just the right touch of luxury, Ciroc vodka hosted fashion forward guests to a style-infused start-of-the-year party at Supremacy Lounge, hosted by renowned fashion icon Brian Ahumuza, alias as Abryanz. To end the year in style, …
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