Lugogo Cricket Oval had the kind of Friday night that Kampala does best — dressed-up crowds, loud music, fireworks, familiar faces and thousands of people ready to forget the week.
On September 4, Lydia Jazmine finally brought The One and Only to the stage, turning the venue into a celebration of music, friendship and the journey of one of Uganda’s most recognisable female voices.
From the glamorous entrances to the fireworks lighting up the night, the concert had all the ingredients of a major Kampala outing. Even an unexpected technical glitch became part of the evening’s story.
While Lydia was performing one of her collaborations with Geosteady, the music suddenly cut out. There was a brief moment of uncertainty before the crowd found its own soundtrack.
“Lydia… we wanna partee” came the chant from the crowd.
The interruption lasted only moments, but the energy quickly returned, with the audience proving that it was not about to let a technical hiccup steal the night.
Powered by V&A Sherry in partnership with Abitex Promotions, The One and Only drew thousands of Lydia’s fans to Lugogo Cricket Oval.
By 3pm, the venue was already beginning to fill, with guests stopping at the V&A backdrop for photographs and 360-degree videos before settling in and waiting for the performances.
The supporting lineup added to the excitement, with Sheebah Karungi, Lillian Mbabazi, Fefe Bussi, Ray G and Anknown among the artists entertaining the crowd, alongside DJs who kept the energy moving between sets.
Then came Lydia.
The moment she stepped onto the stage, the crowd needed little encouragement. Cherie, Same Way, Masuuka and You and Me were among the songs that triggered some of the biggest singalongs of the night, with thousands of fans returning almost every lyric to the singer.
For an artist who has spent more than a decade building her catalogue and audience, there was something fitting about the scene. Lydia was singing the songs that had marked different chapters of her career, while the people who had listened to them gave the words back to her.
Away from the stage, V&A Sherry was woven into the social side of the evening, with guests enjoying the drink neat and as Vangria while catching up with friends, taking photographs and settling into the concert atmosphere.
Roy Ronald Tumwizere, V&A Brand Manager, said Lydia’s relationship with her audience made the partnership a natural fit.
“Lydia Jazmine has built a strong connection with her audience, and that was evident tonight. For us at V&A, that made The One and Only concert a natural space for V&A to be.”
He added that the concert reflected the brand’s Yours to Share philosophy.
“V&A is about those moments you want to enjoy and share with other people. Whether it is a big career milestone like Lydia’s second concert or simply a night out with friends, there is something special about having the people you care about there with you.”
And that was perhaps the real story of the night.
The concert belonged to Lydia, but it also belonged to the people who showed up for her friends reunited, fans singing at the top of their voices and strangers becoming temporary friends as familiar songs filled the oval.
By the time the lights came up, Lydia had received the ultimate concert reward: thousands of voices, hours of energy and an audience willing to sing her songs right back to her.
For V&A Sherry, the night continues its run of Ugandan entertainment and lifestyle experiences, with the Kenneth Mugabi concert on September 12 and the Miss Uganda Grand Finale among the events on its 2026 calendar.