Ugandan Gospel Star Mungu Feni Joins Lagos-Based Showbiz101 to Strengthen Regional Music Ties
Mungu Feni, a Kampala‑based gospel singer, spent the week of 23‑30 June 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, as part of Showbiz101 2026, a pan‑African music industry programme organised by bridgeAFRIC. The event aimed to connect creative talent with the commercial structures that sustain the continent’s music economy.
Showbiz101 ran for seven days at the Alliance Française Lagos in Ikoyi and a residential music camp that housed recording studios and collaborative workspaces. The programme combined studio‑based music creation with industry training sessions on music business, copyright, publishing, branding, distribution, investment, wellness and cross‑border collaboration. Participants included artists, producers, executives, investors, publishers, managers and policymakers from across Africa and the diaspora.
Organisers said the initiative was designed to address structural challenges in Africa’s creative economy, such as limited industry education, weak intellectual‑property awareness and unsustainable income models for many artists. They stated that the broader goal is to equip creatives with knowledge, access and global opportunities while fostering cross‑continental collaborations and producing global hits.
Feni, who has earned multiple accolades including Artist of the Year and Best New Star Gospel Artist, has amassed millions of streams on digital platforms and reached audiences through outlets such as Trace Gospel and TBN Africa. He has collaborated with Ugandan gospel artist Levixone, producer Skerz on the Beatz and Nigerian guitarist Fiokee, illustrating growing cross‑border linkages within Africa’s contemporary gospel and mainstream music scenes. In addition to performing, Feni runs Mungu Feni Records and the Mungu Feni Foundation, initiatives focused on talent development and community engagement.
The 2026 edition of Showbiz101 also introduced mental‑wellness support for participants and discussions on alternative revenue streams, legal frameworks and performance development. These additions reflect a broader shift in how Africa’s music industry defines professional readiness.
Uganda’s music industry is evolving under pressure from digital streaming platforms, which have expanded access to audiences beyond national borders while intensifying competition across markets. Industry stakeholders increasingly argue that long‑term sustainability will depend not only on talent but also on a stronger understanding of contracts, publishing rights, branding and investment structures.
Founded as a virtual platform in 2020, Showbiz101 transitioned to physical editions in 2023 and has since grown into a continental gathering attracting more than 500 participants annually, facilitating collaborations between African and diaspora creatives.
At present, Feni has completed the programme and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and build collaborations. The next steps for him include applying the business knowledge gained at Showbiz101 to expand his regional presence and to further develop his record label and foundation.
