Saturday night’s Lugogo Cricket Oval was nothing short of shocking as Jamaican dancehall sensation Dexta Daps made his Ugandan debut.
This took place at the inaugural Noise Nation Festival, providing the perfect stage for unforgettable performances that blended vibrant fashion, food and atmosphere with the headline acts, and the crowd wanting more. Because I had high expectations.
The night started with a flurry of activity. Appetizing food from popular food stalls like The Meat Guy, colorful cocktails, a fashion runway showcase, a 3×3 basketball tournament and an interactive photo booth added a playful energy .
Warming up the crowd were DJ Vanss and more, serving up both nostalgic hits and modern bangers. It keeps the revelers dancing.
But that night belonged to one man: Dexta Dapus.
The Lugogo Cricket Oval turned into a pulsating sea of excitement as the Jamaican superstar took to the stage. Dexta wasted no time in setting up the atmosphere and dove straight into a catalog of hits that had fans singing and dancing in unison. Songs like “7-Eleven,” “Twinkle,” “Shaba Mada Pot,” “Call Me If,” “Breaking News,” and “Wifi” unleash waves of energy that make the audience feel like they’re rehearsing. I sang along to all the lyrics. This moment throughout their lives.
Dexta’s stage presence was magnetic. His dynamic dancing, smooth vocals, and effortless charisma captivated the audience, creating an intimate connection despite the vast venue. Fans were mesmerized by the performance, which was a celebration of sound, rhythm, and passion that transcended music, switching between sultry ballads and hard-hitting dancehall anthems.
The pinnacle of the performance was “Owner”, which was joined by Rita, a well-known professional dancer, and sent the audience into a euphoric frenzy. The two gave a very heated but entertaining set performance.
Even after his first set, the audience wasn’t ready to let him go. Dexta returned with an explosive encore, cementing his status as a true showman. His heartfelt words of gratitude for the love and energy of the Ugandan audience further strengthened the bond and left fans with a night they will never forget.
Of course, before Dexta takes the stage to perform in front of fans and revelers, he’s joined by John Black, Ava Peace, Dax Vivez, and featuring Azzawi, Vinka, Winnie Nwagi, and Elijah Kitaka. There was a performance by the Swans Avenue All Stars. Each gave a high-energy performance, ending with the crowd favorite “God Ye Buddy.” Surprise performances from Navio, The Myth, Viboyo, Karol Kasita and Natty Nathan added to the star power, while a dazzling fireworks display celebrated the event’s birth in style.
As the echoes of Dexta’s soulful vocals faded and the crowd slowly dispersed, one thing became clear: Uganda had embraced the “7-Eleven” hitmaker with open arms. The Noise Nation Festival debut was more than just a musical event, it was a cultural extravaganza, a night of unity, and a thrilling introduction to a dancehall legend promising a return.
