Ugandan singer-songwriter Joshua Baraka will kick off the New Year in Kigali with a live, immersive performance at Tempah’s Reset 2026, set for January 2 at Mundi Center. Organised by the Hottempah Collective, the concert brings together a cross-cultural lineup that pairs East African sounds with global influences. WATCH: Ugandan singer and songwriter Joshua Baraka invites fans to the January 2 show, Tempah’s RE:SET 2026 set to take place at Mundi Center alongside local stars E.T Ndahigwa and Rluta, with Dj DID from France, as part of the celebrations welcoming the New Year 2026. :... pic.twitter.com/AW2GYd5gzJ — The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) January 1, 2026 Rwanda’s rising talents E.T Ndahigwa and Rlutta will take the stage alongside France-based DJ DID, promising a night that leans as much into discovery as it does celebration. The show marks Joshua Baraka’s third performance in Rwanda, following earlier appearances at the same venue in 2023 and at Kigali Universe in 2025. For the 25-year-old artist, the return feels personal. ALSO READ: Joshua Baraka returns to Kigali as DJ Pius marks 15 years in music “Kigali is familiar to me now, and it means a lot,” he said in an interview with The New Times on Thursday. “It reflects not just the bond I’ve built with audiences here, but also how much I’ve grown as an artist.” Best known for songs such as Wrong Places and Dalilah, Baraka said the Reset 2026 performance will differ from his previous Kigali shows. This time, he will be backed by a live band, a choice he believes allows for a deeper connection with the audience. “Tomorrow’s show is going to be an extension of what I’ve been doing, but deeper,” he said. “It’s going to be an immersion into Brakaland. We’ll really dive into the music and just have a great time.” Baraka rose to prominence in 2023 with the breakout hit Nana and has since built a reputation for music that resonates across borders. He rejects the idea that his sound targets a narrow audience. “I wouldn’t say I appeal to just one group of people,” he said. “My music is for anyone who connects with it.” At the same time, he acknowledged the realities of live performance economics, including ticket pricing and production costs. “Live shows are expensive, and promoters need to recover their investment,” he said. “There’s always a balance to strike, but accessibility still matters to me.” Reflecting on his journey since 2023, Baraka said his growth has been both personal and artistic. “I’ve grown a lot as a person. I’ve made more music, learned more, experienced more,” he said. “From how I perform to how I present the music, everything is different now. I’m excited to express that and share it with my Kigali people.” The show will also shine a spotlight on Rwanda’s emerging voices. Baraka said he closely follows E.T Ndahigwa’s work and praised the broader Rwandan soundscape. “Rwandan music is slightly ahead in terms of production in East Africa right now,” he said. “I really love the music coming out of Rwanda.” He also spoke about the growing sense of connection among young East African artists, crediting the internet and shared creative spaces for strengthening regional ties. “This generation is more connected than ever,” he said. “There’s collaboration between Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. That unity is only going to grow.” Still, he noted that limited musical infrastructure remains a challenge. “There aren’t many venues that are the right size. Some are too big, others too small, and that makes it hard for artists to scale,” he said, adding that greater awareness around music business fundamentals like distribution and publishing is also needed. Rlutta, one of the night’s performers, said she is eager to open the year on a high note. “This is my first show of 2026, and I’m ready to give people what they deserve,” she said. “A really good time. I’m excited to see Joshua Baraka perform too. There are so many bangers. Come ready to dance, sing and lose your voice. Let’s start the year properly.” With Reset 2026, Kigali’s New Year momentum continues, positioning the city once again as a meeting point for regional talent, shared sounds and cross-border creative energy.
