What does it take to turn Ugandan talent into sustainable businesses, build one of the country’s most influential entertainment companies, and then take that vision across Africa?

In this special episode of The Ugandan Boy Talk Show, I sit down with Julius Kyazze, co-founder of Swangz Avenue and the entrepreneur behind Live54+, for a conversation about nearly two decades of building within Uganda and Africa’s creative industry.

Julius takes us into the journey of building Swangz Avenue alongside Benon Mugumbya, creating systems around talent, managing artists, entrepreneurship, leadership, ownership, and what Uganda still needs to do to compete on the global entertainment stage.

We also talk about the business behind developing artists such as Vinka, the importance of building structures around African talent, and why having talent alone is not enough to create a sustainable creative industry.

Since this episode marks the finale of our “Uganda’s Very Own Stories” series in partnership with Bell Lager, we also explore the long-standing relationship between Bell Lager and Swangz Avenue and how brands can move beyond simply sponsoring entertainment to genuinely investing in culture.

From Roast and Rhyme and the Swangz All-Star Tour to major artist experiences and entertainment properties, Julius shares his perspective on what successful partnerships between corporate brands and the creative industry can accomplish.

We also explore his next chapter with Live54+ and his bigger vision for building African creative infrastructure, businesses and opportunities that can take African culture to the world.

But beyond the companies and success, we get into the person behind it all — the sacrifices, failures, lessons, partnerships, legacy and what Julius ultimately hopes his contribution to Uganda and Africa will be.

🇺🇬 This is Uganda’s Very Own Story.

A special thank you to Bell Lager for partnering with The Ugandan Boy Talk Show to document and celebrate Ugandan stories throughout this series.


#JuliusKyazze #SwangzAvenue #TheUgandanBoyTalkShow #UgandasVeryOwnStories #BellLager #BellJamz #UgandanPodcast #UgandanMusic #UgandaEntertainment #AfricanMusic #CreativeIndustry #Live54Plus #Vinka #RoastAndRhyme #Uganda🎙️ Guest: Julius Kyazze

🎧 Podcast: The Ugandan Boy Talk Show
🍺 Series: Uganda’s Very Own Stories with Bell Lager

Subscribe to The Ugandan Boy Talk Show for more conversations with the people shaping Uganda, Africa, and the diaspora.

Togwa’mu suubi.

Chapters

00:00 : Welcome to The Ugandan Boy Talk Show: Episode Introduction and Disclaimer

03:09 : Meet Julius Kyazze: Co-founder of Swangz Avenue and Creative
Industry Leader

06:30 : Julius Kyazze Questions Democracy's Fit for African Development

11:27 : Julius Kyazze's 'This or That' on Building Companies, Work Ethic, and Global Hits

21:00 : From Dancer to Entrepreneur: Julius Kyazze's Passion for the Creative Space

25:16 : Using Fear as Fuel: Julius Kyazze on Overcoming Doubt and Building Resilience

31:16 : The Synergy of Julius Kyazze and Benon Mugumbya: Building Swangz Avenue

37:08 : The Hardest System to Build: Fostering Long-Term Vision in Creatives

43:17 : Bell Lager's Deep Investment in Ugandan Culture and Artist Development

54:40 : Beyond Logos: Creating Deeper Connections in Future Brand Partnerships

59:53 : What Swang Avenue Seeks: Beyond Talent, the Work Ethic and Uniqueness

01:06:11 : Understanding the Label-Artist Dynamic: Partnership, Investment, and Ignorance

01:09:09 : Julius Kyazze on the Misunderstood Impact of Uganda's Copyright Law

01:17:23 : Live54+ and the Vision for African Creative Industry Infrastructure

01:20:02 : The Biggest Financial Mistake: When Creatives Prioritize Image Over Art

01:21:41 : Finding Light in Every Situation: Julius Kyazze on the Ugandan Spirit

01:23:30 : Julius Kyazze's Rapid Fire Round and Unasked Questions

01:36:57 : Julius Kyazze's Vision: Creatives Not Choosing Between Art and Livelihood

01:39:10 : Thank You for Listening: The Ugandan Boy Talk Show Outro