After many years, Stecia Mayanja thrilled her fans in a live concert. PHOTO/ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
During her days in Eagles Production which later evolved to Golden production, Hajjati Stecia Mayanja had made a name in band music.
Mayanja officially left Golden Band in September 2018 and her reasons for departure was reportedly due to management issues and a perception of selfish behaviour from the band's directors. She also mentioned that she faced too pressure and resistance from the directors.
After leaving Golden Band, she briefly joined Haruna Mubiru’s Kream Production, but that also did not work out. She decided to try her luck in acting, where she starred in productions such as The Honourables and her own project Stecia and the House Girl.
It was all going well and her future in film was blooming, until her health started deteriorating. The 39-year-old decided to relocate to Canada for further treatment, but only returned to Uganda in late 2024.
Upon her return, she promised to resume stage performances. She claimed her management had already booked her out for the whole of December last year, including the last edition of Tugende Mukikadde at Sheraton gardens Kampala. With the several bookings and witnessing other Eagles Production members selling out concerts at Serena Hotel including Mesach Semakula, Geoffrey Lutaya, Catherine Kusasira, Ronald Mayinja and Hajji Haruna Mubiru, Mayanja knew the cards would play in her favour, if she also threw a stone in the bush.
True to her courage, last Saturday, she thrilled her fans with a stellar performance at her long-awaited Hajjat Stecia Live Concert, held at the Victoria Hall in Kampala.
Powered by Stanbic Bank Uganda, the concert pulled in hundreds of cross-generational music enthusiasts, filling the venue before 7:30pm.
From the moment doors opened at 6:30pm, the atmosphere was electric.
The evening kicked off with a nostalgic Deejay mix of Luganda classics by JJ Sound’s Selector Sula, keeping revellers on their feet as anticipation built. Among the early crowd-pleasers was viral TikTok sensation Teacher Kipopo, who, together with his wife, danced joyfully to the opening tunes, energising the crowd.
At exactly 8:10pm, event hosts Miles Rwamiti and Rebecca Jjingo stepped onto the stage with vibrance, officially launching the show with playful banter , something that set the tone for a memorable night. Without any curtain-raisers, Hajjat Stecia Mayanja made her grand entrance.
In a glittering golden hijab, she opened her first set with the fan-favourite Tulimumpaka and what followed was an emotionally charged and musically rich performance of her signature hits, including Akatutunu,Sinsubira, Silinda Bidde, Allah Kareem, and Ojira Olindako’. Other songs included Mwami Wange,Tosala Gwa Kalenzi, and Wandaludde.
Blending live band arrangements with dramatic skits, Stecia infused storytelling into her performance, amplifying the message of each song and keeping the audience deeply engaged.
The highlight of the night came when Charles Ssekyewa, her former boyfriend joined her for a powerful duet of Wabanswaliza, prompting an eruption of applause and dance from the crowd.
Their love story and separation took the industry by storm back then. Being in the music circle, they had both released music that hit each other in the process. After their performance, Mayanja left Ssekyewa on stage for her break and he took it up from there with solo performances of Ebibimba Bbika and Nva Kubagalana.
During the interlude, artistes Shirah Nabasumba and Hajji Haruna Mubiru took the stage, performing crowd favourites Ticket, Yegwe, and Binyuma, keeping energy levels high.
Mayanja returned for a culturally rich second session, this time adorned in traditional Kiganda attire.
Her tribute to Ugandan heritage captivated the audience, blending rhythm and culture in a celebration of identity.
The night continued with guest appearances by seasoned stars Catherine Kusasira and Ronald Mayinja, who took the audience on a nostalgic ride with their timeless hits, triggering sing-alongs and swaying memories.
The other highlight about the concert was the reconciliation of the former Eagles Production members. Mesach Semakula invited them all on stage and asked them to bury the hatchet and forget what happened in the past.
"We annoyed each other with Geoffrey Lutaaya and we made up. I also had issues with Haruna Mubiru, but we found a way for forgiving each other. You should also do the same with Maureen Nantume and Irene Namatovu. Our strength lies in togetherness," Ssemakula emphasised.
Stecia Mayanja and Nantume hugged on stage as a sign of reconciliation. Mayanja closed the night with a third and final set, making a stunning entrance in a white-and-gold hijab to perform her viral hit Equalizer. Her vocals soared and her energetic dance routines ensured no one remained seated.
After many years, Stecia Mayanja thrilled her fans in a live concert. PHOTO/ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
She wrapped up with high-octane performances of Fitting, Kabalagala, Sofa Set, Remote, Kawompo, Kuma Figure, Kantinti and Bitambula, leaving the crowd exhilarated and asking for more. Another highlight was when she performed some gospel music by Judith Babirye and Pastor Wilson Bugembe, saying they are a true reflection of what she has been through during her stay overseas.
The concert was graced by several dignitaries from the central government and the Buganda Kingdom, adding prestige to a night that marked Stecia Mayanja’s triumphant return.
Music return
Her vocals soared and her energetic dance routines ensured no one remained seated. She wrapped up with high-octane performances of Fitting, Kabalagala, Sofa Set, Remote, Kawompo.
