King Saha set for "Tondeka E Kololo" show amid drama, detention and political buzz
Courtesy Photo
Singer King Saha, born Mansur Semanda, is putting the final touches on what may be the biggest concert of his career so far. His show, dubbed "Tondeka E Kololo" and also promoted as "King Saha Live in Concert," is set for Friday, August 14, at the Kololo Independence Grounds, running from midday into the evening.
A concert months in the making
Talk of the show first surfaced in May, when the Kings Love Entertainment boss used TikTok to reveal that he was preparing another major concert, without giving a firm date. By mid June, the wait ended. Saha unveiled artwork for "King Saha Live in Concert" at Kololo, captioned "Mark the Date," confirming August 14 as the day.
The announcement came shortly after Saha made headlines at a fellow artiste's show, where he publicly called out a legislator he accused of causing him financial losses by forcing the cancellation of an earlier concert.
By late June, Saha said he was personally overseeing every part of the preparations, from logistics to production, promising fans "the vibe will be on another level."
The buildup also touched Uganda's crowded concert calendar. When veteran singer Jose Chameleone offered to hand Saha his own booked date of December 4 at Lugogo Cricket Oval, in what Chameleone framed as a gesture for industry harmony, Saha turned down the offer. He clarified that he had no plans for a concert on that date and that any future shows from his camp would be organised independently.
A dramatic twist days before the show
The run up to Friday's concert took an unexpected turn on Tuesday evening, August 11, when Saha was picked up from his home in Kyanja by armed security personnel following a day spent moving through Kampala to promote the show. Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with reports of gunfire during the operation and at least one bystander reportedly injured.
Video circulating online showed panic near Saha's residence, and opposition-aligned commentators criticised the handling of the operation, with one calling the treatment of the singer's team, who they said were only selling tickets and promoting the concert, uncalled for.
Saha's detention was brief. He was released the same evening and posted a short message thanking fans for their prayers, though he did not explain the reason for his arrest or where he had been held.
Politics in the background
The episode has reignited debate about Saha's political leanings. He has performed at opposition rallies in the past and is seen by some as aligned with the National Unity Platform, yet he also has a family connection to the country's ruling establishment through marriage. Commentators have pointed to that mix as fuelling suspicion in opposition circles about where his loyalties truly lie, a debate that resurfaced sharply after his brief arrest just three days before a concert taking place at one of Kampala's most symbolic public grounds.
What to expect Friday
Tickets for the Kololo show are on sale through Humble Management, with gate entry priced from UGX 20,000. Doors open at noon and the show is expected to run into the evening. Saha, known for hits including "Zakayo" and "Mpa Love," previously staged two sold out concerts at Lugogo Cricket Oval in 2025, and organisers are billing Friday's event as his biggest production yet.
Despite the security scare, Saha has continued to promote the concert, and fans on social media have kept up momentum around the "Tondeka E Kololo" hashtag heading into showtime.
