Dream House Uganda is a dance group from Mbale that was started by the Bogere brothers Allan and Ronnie together with a number of other dancers. following a series of training workshops by Youth & Hip Hop project  and Breakdance Project Uganda. Dream House Uganda aims to bridge the gap between youth of different religious, tribal and social backgrounds and works mainly with disadvantaged youth. On a weekly basis, breakdance classes are held for youth at Mbale Stadium. During the past years, Dream House Uganda has become an established name in Mbale. They have performed at various local events. This year they will bring their energy to the capital of Kampala and perform at the Bayimba International Festival.

Taarab music is a fusion of Swahili tunes sung in rhythmic poem spiced with Arabic or at times Indian melodies. It is a popular music genre at the coastal areas of Tanzania and Kenya. But wherever the Swahili speaking people travelled, Taraabu culture moved with them. No wonder it has also penetrated to as far as Uganda. Since 1985, Blue Stars Modern Taarab have taken the lead in presenting Taarab in Uganda, performing at weddings and social gatherings (like religious celebrations). The group will now bring their Swahili tunes to the Bayimba International Festival.

Stand up comedy has grown at an incredible rate in Kampala. The latest crew in the scene is the @The Punchliners, put together and organised by Anrnold Bubi-Nyo, a standup comedian. The group has its weekly show at Waikiki’s in Centenary Park and their audiences are growing by the bunch every week. The Punchliners are there to stay, reason why they have been invited to crack your ribs during the Bayimba International Festival: ‪#‎7comedians7mins.

Street Dance Force – S.D.F is a dance group from Jinja that was founded in 2010 by Elasu Elvis, Kaweesi Medi and Ndaula Emma who developed their and street dancing and Hip Hop skills through the Youth & Hip Hop Uganda training workshops. The group, that is composed of a diverse gropu of people and is engaged in street/break dance, African and contemporary dance, Afro Hip Hop, dance hall, beat boxing, rapping, graffiti design, poetry and motivational speaking. The group aims to inspire, perform, create and bring street dance to a new level of professionalism. The members train and teach at Talanta Youth Movement at St. Jude Straining Centre. The first performance of the group was at the May 2010 Bayimba Regional Festival in Jinja, which is now followed by their performance at the Bayimba International Festival.

The Auditorium traditionally hosts a number of drama performances. The Pride Performers Africa (PPA) is one of the drama groups programmed to entertain those that have a craving for theatre.

@Miracle Saints is a gospel dance group based in Entebbe serving and under Pastor Aaron Mutebi of Entebbe Miracle Centre Church. The group was established in 1998 with the aim to promote and nurture talent of the youth. Initially the group has 6 members, but soon grew out to over 20 members. Miracle Saints have reached out to the youth both in schools, community and higher institutions of learning to motivate and preach change to all ages. As a group, Miracle Saints has travelled across the country and has featured in videos of re-known gospel artists. They have also produced their own movie that was dubbed Emeka.

This year’s Bayimba International Festival will again feature, in line with a tradition that started back in 2012, seasoned Kadongo Kamu musicians. Matia Kakumirizi, Hadijah Namale and Misuseera Ssegamwenge will grace this year’s stage.
Prince Misuseera Ssegamwenge, born in 1945 is one of the pioneers of Kadongo Kamu. He had an impact on the whole of East Africa after independence with his first album recorded at Radio Uganda studios in 1969. Some of his popular songs include Ensi Tegulwa, Obukadde Magezi, Omuliirano Ogwobujja, Ebyedda bisasika, Ssekono Tawanyizika, Bamugamba ng’anyooma, Akusigula takugula, and Kyusa kumpisa. Prince Misuseera Ssegamwenge has recorded 120 songs to date.

This year’s Bayimba International Festival will again feature, in line with a tradition that started back in 2012, seasoned Kadongo Kamu musicians. Matia Kakumirizi, Hadijah Namale and Misuseera Ssegamwenge will grace this year’s stage.
Hadijah Namale, after having lived in Bunia, Congo with her sister, moved to Kampala in 1964 where she started working at Suzana Club in Nakulabye area. She joined the then resident band – Suzana band – as a back-up singer. Soon thereafter she was singing with Afrigo Band, Rwenzori, Frank Mbalire, Fred Kigozi, Esclass Kawalya, Bosa Esclass Kawalya, father of Afrigo Band songstress Joanita Kawalya. Hadijah did a couple of recordings at Kericho Records in the 70s. When the civil war broke out Hadijah moved to Masaka where she is still a resident.

This year’s Bayimba International Festival will again feature, in line with a tradition that started back in 2012, seasoned Kadongo Kamu musicians. Matia Kakumirizi, Hadijah Namale and Misuseera Ssegamwenge will grace this year’s stage.
Matia Kakumirizi started singing in a convent with father Mugambe in Mulajje Parish in 1966. He sings in Luganda and Kirwahdi. He also learnt to play the guitar and xylophone. His first recording followed in 1971 in Polygram Studios in Nairobi. Matia is now 70 years old, lives in Kampala and stills plays the guitar he has had since 1972.