Behind the Scenes: Maurice Kirya Opens the Curtain with "Artiste Shadowing" Ahead of KiryaLive 2026
By Gilbert Ssettuuma
On stage, Maurice Kirya makes it look effortless. The tailored suits, the soulful guitar, the way he
holds a room at Serena or The National Theatre. But what happens before the lights go up? That’s
the part most young artistes never see until this year’s edition of KiryaLive.
Ahead of KiryaLive 2026, slated for 3rd October, 2026, the Ugandan afro-soul (Mwooyo) icon has
launched an initiative that pulls back that curtain, "Artiste Shadowing." It’s not a masterclass with
slides. Not a panel discussion. It’s first-hand, mud-on-your-shoes immersion into what it actually takes
to pull off a major concert in Uganda.
From a third-party perspective, this might be one of the most practical gifts Kirya has given to the
industry. The concept is simple but radical. Instead of just inviting upcoming artistes to watch the
show, Kirya sent out a call inviting interested creatives to live the experience building up to the show
with him. That is; from the first rehearsal to the final load-out.
For weeks leading up to the October show, these artistes will shadow the KiryaLive team. They’ll sit
in song selection meetings where Maurice debates whether to open with a classic or test a new
arrangement. They’ll be in the room when the budget for sound, lights, and stage is negotiated. They’ll
watch how you talk to a service provider when the quote is too high, and how you compromise
without compromising quality. This is where the real education happens. Not in the 90 minutes of
performance, but in the 90 days of preparation.
Why Now? Does it matter anyway?
Uganda’s live music scene is booming, but there’s a gap. Many talented artistes can write and perform,
but few understand the machinery behind a concert. How do you cost a band? How do you negotiate
with a venue? What happens when a vendor fails you 48 hours to showtime?
Kirya has lived it all. For over 15 years he has self-produced shows, self-funded shows, dealt with
regulators, managed PR, and built a brand that sells out without major label or sponsor backing. With
"Artiste Shadowing," he’s turning that experience into a curriculum.