Kingdom Kampala management has defended the Ruparelia Group against criticism following the disruptions at Mesach Ssemakula’s 50 Years of Greatness concert, insisting that the venue fulfilled its contractual obligations while the organisers were responsible for the arrangements that affected concertgoers.
The November 13 concert, held at Kingdom Kampala, was disrupted by heavy rain, with several revellers complaining about inadequate seating, difficulties accessing reserved tables and poor organisation. The complaints triggered criticism of the venue management, prompting Kingdom Kampala to issue a statement clarifying the circumstances surrounding the booking and preparations for the event.
In a statement dated November 15, 2026, management said Ssemakula approached the building’s management in April 2026, seeking to hire the premises for the concert. The booking was authorised, and the singer was granted a Shs5 million discount.
However, management said the singer was informed before confirming the booking that Kingdom Kampala was an office and commercial property offering venue hire rather than hotel event services.
“Before confirmation, Mr Ssemakula was briefed that Kingdom Kampala is an office and commercial property offering venue hire, not hotel event services. He accepted responsibility for tents, chairs, tables, ticketing, food, beverages and event security. He paid the deposit,” the statement reads.
The clarification places responsibility for the major operational aspects of the concert on the organisers, rather than the property management, which says its role was to provide the agreed venue.
Management further revealed that on April 23, 2026, it requested the organisers to submit a stage layout in writing to guide preparations, but the document was not shared. Nevertheless, discussions on preparations and adjustments at the site continued directly with Ssemakula.
The venue management also said it accommodated changes requested by the singer shortly before the concert, including the removal of some internal fencing at the property.
According to the statement, Ssemakula made the request on November 4, 2026, and management agreed to the adjustment despite it falling outside the original arrangements.
One of the major disagreements that emerged during preparations concerned the installation of tents and the removal of paving stones to facilitate the structures.
Management said it declined to allow the removal of the paving stones because they were part of the property’s permanent infrastructure and needed protection from damage caused by temporary installations.
Instead, the organisers were advised to obtain a tent system that could be installed without interfering with the paved surface.
“We did not ban tents or rain cover. Paving and established landscaping are lasting features that temporary installations should protect, as per global best practice,” management said.
The statement challenges claims that Kingdom Kampala prevented the organisers from making arrangements to protect guests from the rain, explaining that its position was specifically intended to safeguard the property’s infrastructure while allowing the event to proceed.
Management also cited footage from the concert showing that a VIP seating platform had been installed without removing the paving stones, although the section remained uncovered.
It said this demonstrated that alternative arrangements could have been made without interfering with the property’s established surfaces.
“The management had advised the organiser to source a suitable tent system that preserved the surface,” the statement reads.
The concert’s shortcomings also extended to seating, ticketing and hospitality arrangements, with several attendees expressing disappointment over the services they received despite paying for premium packages.
Some revellers complained that tables they had paid for were unavailable, while others questioned the additional charges for chairs and the difficulties they encountered when seeking seating.
Such complaints have placed the organisation of the concert under scrutiny, particularly because the provision of chairs, tables, food, beverages and ticketing had been identified by Kingdom Kampala as the responsibility of the organisers.
Ssemakula subsequently apologised to his fans over the disappointing experience, acknowledging that the concert had not met the expectations of some people who had turned up to celebrate his 50 years in music.
He also said the disruptions were not intentional and explained that heavy rain had affected the event.
However, Kingdom Kampala management has maintained that the shortcomings arising from the organisation of the concert should not be attributed to the venue, saying it fulfilled the obligations agreed upon before the booking was confirmed.
The management further defended the Ruparelia Group’s experience in hosting major entertainment and hospitality events, citing its record of accommodating local and international performers at its properties.
It pointed to the seventh season of Africa Laughs, held in October 2025, which featured Ugandan and international comedians, as one of the successful entertainment events hosted within the group’s hospitality portfolio.
The group’s facilities include Speke Resort Munyonyo, Speke Resort Convention Centre and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort, which management says have hosted hundreds of international, national, family and public events.
The management said its experience in the hospitality industry demonstrates its commitment to providing reliable venues for entertainment, business and other public functions.
It nevertheless expressed sympathy for concertgoers who experienced difficulties during Ssemakula’s performance, acknowledging that they deserved a comfortable and well-organised event.
“Kingdom Kampala management categorically rejects responsibility for the shortcomings in the event experience that should have been borne by the organisers. We fulfilled our agreed venue obligations,” the statement reads.
Management added that it remained committed to supporting Uganda’s entertainment industry and providing a reliable destination for event organisers and their guests.
“We remain committed to supporting Uganda’s entertainment industry and being a trusted destination for organisers and guests,” the statement said.
