On stage, that same level of intention carried through. Jackson didn’t just perform; he created unforgettable spectacles. Every movement had purpose. The moonwalk (or “backslide,” as many called it in Uganda) became one of the most recognizable dance moves in the world, but it was only one piece of a much larger artistic identity. Even today, traces of his style appear across artists from completely different genres.

As of 2026, Uganda is home to nearly two million refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom have fled conflict in neighboring countries like South Sudan, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is not to say that other countries in the region do not offer refuge to those fleeing war as Kenya and Tanzania do so too.