This Sunday, July 20th, the Kampala Serena Hotel will transform into a stage of history, legacy, and world-class jazz, as Uganda’s foremost saxophonist, Isaiah Katumwa, celebrates 30 years of music, mentorship, and creating Impact.
And standing tall beside him, on this incredible milestone, is Johnnie Walker Green Label, the platinum sponsor for the Isaiah Katumwa at 30 concert.
It is more than just a concert; it is the culmination of a journey that began with a dream, a broken saxophone, and a boy who dared to believe that he, too, could do something exceptional.
“I saw a white boy playing a piano on TV and wondered, why is it that only the white do such exceptional things?” Katumwa emotionally shared at the press conference last week.
“I told myself, I must do something great,” he added
A Story on Resilience
Katumwa’s story is a study in self-belief and persistence. He did not go through music school or any formal training; he taught himself how to play the saxophone. Through grit and curiosity, in an era before YouTube, online tutorials, or even email.
His first professional performance was in 1995 at the Sheraton Hotel, where he performed with the Waka Waka Band, a gig arranged by none other than Jimmy Mugerwa, the current Uganda Breweries Board Chairperson.
From then on, Katumwa has been a constant force, pushing Uganda’s jazz scene forward. From Jazz with Isaiah TV show, to co-founding Jazz FM, and now mentoring the next generation of musical talent, he has ensured that the path he walked, once lonely and uncertain, now feels lit for others.
A Legacy Shared
At the press conference, Katumwa made it clear: Isaiah @30 is not about standing in the spotlight alone, it is about sharing it. “My definition of legacy is lifting others as I rise,” he said. “This show is not just about me. It is about the past, the present, and the future of jazz in Uganda.”
He noted that this 30-year milestone marks the beginning of a new era. With plans to return even bigger, with new music and a refreshed sound, Katumwa shared that his proudest achievement has been mentoring the very artists who will be performing at the concert. For him, sharing the stage and space with these musicians is the most rewarding part of his journey, a moment he considers the true highlight of his career.
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Aangan Restaurant thrives on long-term vision, consistency, people, and support from I&M BankTo illustrate this, he called up young musicians like Michael Kitanda, Mark Langa, Happy Kyazze, Joseph Sax, and Michael Ouma onto the stage as living proof that his journey has opened doors. “These are the future,” he said. “And if I have done anything right in these 30 years, that has been helping others believe that it is possible.”
Why Johnnie Walker Green Label is Supporting Isaiah @30
Johnnie Walker Green Label’s sponsorship of this landmark show is more than brand alignment; it is a shared philosophy.
“Johnnie Walker Green Label is a celebration of depth, character, and craft, much like Isaiah’s music. We are proud to walk with him on this milestone, and to toast to a legacy that has inspired a generation and is still growing,” said Francis Kirabira, Brand Representative for Johnnie Walker Uganda.
Johnnie Walker Green Label, a blend of Speyside, Highland, Lowland, and Islay malts, embodies balance, richness, and authenticity, qualities that mirror Isaiah’s musical journey, which he describes as African, smooth, and divine.
A Show Like No Other
Isaiah promises this will be more than a performance. It will be an experience, a showcase of Uganda’s finest talent, performing with the precision and polish of someone who has shared stages with greats like Hugh Masekela, Manu Dibango, and other global Grammy winners.
“We are going to have collaborative performances, a world-class stage, visuals, sound, all with the goal of excellence. Because when you have worked with the best, you know what best should look like,” Katumwa promised.
And while the tears were close to the surface during his remarks, so was the joy, the pride of having started a movement, and the excitement of what is still ahead.
Isaiah @30 is slated for this Sunday, July 20th, at the Kampala Serena Hotel, and it is a concert not to be missed, but to be witnessed and experienced.
