WALK award event and SACCO Launch at Kaunda Ground attracted thousands of revelers from Northern Uganda. Photos by Arnest Tumwesige
By: Jimmy Komakech and Arnest Tumwesige
Gulu: Kaunda Grounds came alive on New Year’s Day 2026 as drums, melodies, and memories of survival filled the night during the maiden WALK Peace Awards, a glamorous celebration of musical legends from West Nile, Acholi, Lango, and Karamoja.
From the moment the first beat dropped at 6:12 pm, the fully packed venue erupted into cheers, setting the tone for an unforgettable night where music, history, and healing collided.
Coco Finger opened the show, sending waves of excitement across the crowd as artists who once sang through the sounds of gunfire were finally singing under bright lights and being celebrated.
“This is a dream come true. We performed during the war years but were never recognized. Today, history has smiled on us,” emotionally charged artists told revellers, applauding the Government of Uganda through the Office of the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
The electrifying ceremony doubled as the first anniversary of WALK Creatives Foundation and the launch of its SACCO, following a UGX 1 billion government boost a clear signal that creativity is now being taken seriously as a pillar of post-war recovery.
Organizers Geofrey Opiyo and Bad Man Solo described the awards as the first of their kind in northern Uganda, calling them a bold step in using art as a bridge between painful memories and a hopeful future.
According to Solomon Aboda, Chairperson of the WALK Creative Arts Foundation, the artists being honored were more than entertainers, they were peace messengers.
“These musicians comforted communities when words failed. Their songs carried hope during and after the war, yet they were never formally appreciated until now,” Aboda said.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came when legendary artist BSG Labongo took the stage. Shot in the leg at just nine years old during the insurgency, Labongo later lost the limb and spent a year learning how to move again.
“Music became my healing,” he said, standing with the help of two support clutches. “This award reflects our painful past but also reminds us that tomorrow can be brighter.” he said.
More than 30 artists including Butcher Man from Kampala, DJ’s, boxers and MC’s from the entire Northern Uganda walked away with awards and cash prizes, each applause echoing stories of resilience and survival.
A female artist from the West Nile sub-region, performing before such a massive crowd for the first time in her career, could barely contain her joy.
“I thank the President for peace and freedom. I am standing here singing freely because this country is now secure,” she said, drawing cheers from the audience.
Representing the Chief Coordinator of OWC, Rtd. Gen. Salim Saleh, Sylvia Owori the WALK Patron and Head of Operations at OWC praised creatives for turning talent into tools of transformation.
“The government didn’t just listen to the creatives, it understood them and responded with real support to lift them from struggle to sustainability,” Owori said, urging artists to organize, register, and tap into available support.
The highlight of the night came when Peace Awards were presented to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Rtd. Gen. Salim Saleh, honoring their relentless role in restoring peace to a region once scarred by conflict.
Pictorial highlights from the unforgettable night follow.
