Ugandan content creator Tenge Tenge went from a potential stage-security mix-up to sharing the spotlight with Jason Derulo at the Stanbic Music Festival in Lusaka, Zambia, on Saturday.
The TikTok sensation was among the performers who joined the American singer-songwriter and dancer during his African stop on The Last Dance World Tour, but his arrival on stage briefly created confusion.
As Tenge Tenge stepped onto the stage, security personnel reportedly mistook him for someone attempting to invade the performance area and lifted him into the air.
The unexpected moment could have brought his appearance to an abrupt end, but Derulo intervened.
The American star reportedly stepped in before Tenge Tenge was allowed to join him and the other dancers on stage, turning the awkward encounter into part of the night’s entertainment.
The crowd then watched as the Ugandan creator performed alongside Derulo and his dancers, creating a notable Uganda-Zambia-U.S. crossover on stage.
For Tenge Tenge, the moment marked another major international appearance and an opportunity to perform alongside one of the world’s established pop stars.
He later expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage with Derulo.
The Stanbic Music Festival appearance adds to Tenge Tenge’s growing profile beyond Uganda, with the creator continuing to attract attention through his distinctive dance and social-media content.
What started as a security misunderstanding ultimately ended with Tenge Tenge dancing alongside Jason Derulo in front of a packed festival crowd.