Ugandan and international artistes are expected to headline the fifth edition of Lovers ReggaeFest, an annual Valentine’s celebration scheduled for February 13, 2027, in Woburn, Massachusetts, in the United States.
The event, organised by Ugandan musician George Mulindwa, will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, bringing together reggae lovers, couples and members of the Ugandan and Caribbean communities for an evening of live music, dinner and dancing.
The forthcoming edition is expected to feature Madagascar’s Reu-Niza, alongside Safia Leslie, Karitas Kario, Angela Kalule, Amanda Nas, Grace Sekamate and Bruno Semax.
Radio personalities Ruth Wanyana and Patriko Mujuuka will also return as masters of ceremonies, having hosted the previous edition.
Their return is expected to add humour and audience engagement to a programme built around live performances and Valentine’s celebrations.
The event follows last year’s edition, which featured Ugandan musician Mesach Semakula.
Organisers have positioned Lovers ReggaeFest around lovers rock, a romantic strand of reggae music that provides the soundtrack for couples celebrating love and companionship.
The festival has grown from a modest gathering attended mainly by Ugandans and other East Africans into a larger celebration attracting an expanding Caribbean audience.
A major attraction is the Conscious Reggae Band, whose members hail from Jamaica and neighbouring Caribbean islands.
The group has worked with Mulindwa for more than a decade and is expected to return for the fifth edition, continuing a musical partnership that has become central to the festival.
Beyond the performances, the event will feature dinner, dancing and prizes for guests who make an effort with their outfits.
The best-dressed man and woman will each receive $500, while the winning couple will be awarded a night in a hotel suite.
Tickets, which cover dinner and entertainment, cost $150.
The fifth edition will run under the theme “Gratitude”, a reflection of the support the festival has received from its audience and the community over the past four years.
Mulindwa has credited several individuals and organisations with helping the event grow, including Maureen Asiimwe of the Uganda Boston Community Association, Damali Nanfuka of Spirit of Uganda, and members of Radio Uganda Boston, among other supporters.
The event also provides an opportunity for Ugandans and other Africans living in the diaspora to reconnect through music and shared cultural experiences.
Mulindwa, who developed his music career in Uganda and worked at Radio Simba, has used the festival to extend his connection to reggae while building an occasion that appeals to people from different backgrounds.
As preparations for the fifth edition continue, organisers are looking to sustain the festival’s appeal through its combination of live entertainment, romantic atmosphere and community participation.
With returning performers, international acts and prizes for stylish guests, the event is expected to offer attendees another opportunity to celebrate Valentine’s Day through reggae music.
