DOADOA LIVE Launches Women-Focused Music Platform in Uganda

In the heart of Kampala’s nightlife, the Onomo Hotel hosted the debut of DOADOA LIVE, a women‑focused music platform launched by the Bayimba Foundation and Live Traces Producing.

Women now account for more than 55.8 % of Uganda’s creative workforce, yet the economics of the industry remain uneven. Female‑driven music projects receive less funding and fewer touring opportunities. DOADOA LIVE aims to level the field with a 360‑degree ecosystem that blends performance, networking, and business training.

The first series of shows ran from July to September 2026, featuring five industry showcases that combined fashion runways, DJs, and a lineup of women artists performing original material. Headliners such as Rachel Magoola shared the stage with emerging performers, creating cross‑generational exposure.

Beyond the stage, the initiative extended into education. A masterclass program reached 100 students at the University of Kisubi Inter‑University Challenge, covering professional development for designers and models. The sessions were led by the DOADOA LIVE delivery team.

Key voices in the project highlighted the need for self‑created opportunities. Vini Mercy, a musician and filmmaker, said her work bridges cultural landscapes and that most role models in music and film are male, urging women to forge their own paths. Uncle Runo, head of Runo Concepts, warned that Ugandan music managers lack formal training in finance, contracts, and royalty management, and that management should be treated as a business enterprise. The CMH Live team described the series as a chance to showcase artists trained through the CMH Academy and to strengthen event production and curation services. Performer Akisa thanked the organizers for providing rehearsal space and refreshments, noting that the event helped him build a Kampala fan base.

The team reports a shortage of women instrumentalists, which limits the ability to form full bands around headline acts. The shows are already outgrowing the current venue, prompting exploration of new partnerships, including a recent collaboration with the Kampala Literature Festival.

DOADOA LIVE is a Bayimba Foundation initiative in partnership with Africalia and Live Traces Producing, and aligns with research from the International Centre for Research on Women (ICRW), which has issued recommendations for gender equity in seven African countries.

The project’s focus is on long‑term relationships with creatives, providing networking, resources, mentorship, and business sustainability. By shifting the narrative from talent to business viability, DOADOA LIVE aims to create a more inclusive and economically vibrant Ugandan music industry.

The initiative is part of a broader effort to elevate women in the region’s performing arts market, as evidenced by the East African Performing Arts Market (DOADOA) and its call for showcase artists across East Africa.

The current status is that DOADOA LIVE has completed its first series of events and is expanding its reach through new venue partnerships and collaborations with cultural festivals. No further dates have been announced.