We’re finally back at it—the community asked, and we delivered. This time, we brought the heat with a Warzone face-off featuring our creators, Metal and Danni, going head-to-head with the community in intense 1v1s. It was the perfect way to reignite our roots in Call of Duty and remind everyone exactly what Arudem is all about: competition, community, and pure gaming energy.
What began as a simple gaming event turned into a landmark moment. With a grand prize of UGX 3 million, the stakes were high—and so was the energy. We didn’t just host a tournament; we introduced the community to our very first product concept, the Clutch Crunch, marking a bold new chapter for Arudem.
The map that birthed our earliest Call of Duty moments made its long-awaited return. We rallied our community to relive memories, share tactics, and explore every inch of Verdansk together—it was a nostalgic reunion of epic proportions.
We were honored to be invited to a panel at StartHub Africa, where we joined fellow innovators to discuss and unpack the key takeaways, insights, and lessons from building a gaming startup. It was a powerful opportunity to share our journey and contribute to meaningful conversations with key policymakers shaping the future of the creative and tech industries in the country.
Because we’re in the business of doing cool stuff—literally and creatively—we decided to explore a product that would bring our community together: a fusion of milkshake and ice cream, packed with flavors we knew our people would love. We called it The Clutch Crunch—our unique take on a treat made for gamers, creators, and everyone in between.
We hosted an all-ladies event at our HQ, bringing together gamer girls for a day of fun, connection, and community. From card games to console battles, it was all about creating a welcoming space to celebrate and strengthen the gamer and game-dev girl community. A wholesome reminder that the future of gaming includes everyone.
One of Arudem Creators’ first explorations in game development using UEFN aimed to translate the energy of the Smirnoff We Do We campaign into an interactive experience. The goal was to bring that same vibrant, carefree vibe to in-game fiestas—blending brand storytelling with immersive gameplay in a way only Arudem can.
One of our own, Latim, had the incredible opportunity to attend Gamescom—the world’s largest gaming event—held from August 21 to 25, 2024, at the Koelnmesse expo grounds in Cologne, Germany. The event attracted around 335,000 visitors from over 120 countries, with more than 1,462 exhibitors representing 64 nations.Microsoft made a major impression with a massive booth showcasing titles from its studios, including Bethesda and Activision. Industry heavyweights like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Capcom also had a strong presence, while notable absences included Sony and Nintendo. For Latim, it was an unforgettable deep dive into the global gaming landscape, full of inspiration, innovation, and connection
When we joined the Namilyango OB’s League, it felt like a natural move. Familiar faces, competitive games, and a sense of tradition you don’t really find everywhere. We showed up, played hard, and felt right at home.
For the Black Ops launch, we kept it simple but meaningful. No flashy setup—just a solid community event where people came through, played the game for the first time, and shared that experience together. It wasn’t about numbers or noise, just good people, good games, and that first-night energy.
This was more than a win—it was a passport to greatness. We hosted a CODM tournament where the best didn’t just walk away with bragging rights, but with a ticket to Kenya to represent in the Carry1st International Tournament.
At Elevate Studio’s flagship design event, we ran a high-stakes digital design tournament. Creatives battled it out in a fast-paced arena, and the winner walked away with UGX 600K—and a badge of creative honor.
We set a new national benchmark by organizing Uganda’s biggest CODM tournament. Over 500 players competed across three electric days, all gunning for the UGX 3 million prize pool.
From pixels to policy, we shared our story at the annual KTA Symposium. Surrounded by innovators and thought leaders, we championed creative entrepreneurship and carved out a place for digital artists in the IP space.
At the Y4P Fellowship hosted by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, we spoke on leadership in the creative sector. It was a moment of reflection and influence—proof that gaming and art are powerful tools for youth empowerment.
Our meeting with KTA was more than just a sit-down—it was the beginning of something visionary. Together, we explored ways to preserve culture through technology, laying the groundwork for digitizing the Igongo Museum.
We had the privilege of attending the third GamrX event (GamrX3: Xhodus, The Gaming Way), thanks to the generous hospitality of our hosts, Gamr Africa. Held on May 4th, 2024, at the Landmark Event Center in Lagos, Nigeria, this third edition of Africa’s premier esports and gaming festival has cemented itself as a cornerstone of the continent’s gaming calendar. The event reflected Africa’s growing passion for esports and gaming culture, bringing together players, creators, and fans from across the region for a truly unforgettable experience
Arudem had the privilege of partnering with the SPICE Project—an initiative aimed at structuring and professionalising innovative creative enterprises. Through this collaboration, we focused on nurturing and empowering Uganda’s local gaming scene.
Together with BlockArt Creative, MCI, and others, we curated East Africa’s biggest NFT showcase. Artists, collectors, and fans came together to explore the future of digital ownership and creative storytelling.
Teamed up with Mortal Crescents, sickle cell and health advocates, to drop stories and digital content that put the spotlight on sickle cell disease. What started as their first event on hemoglobin and genotype awareness turned into a powerful campaign—bringing the community together, sparking real talk, and building understanding through shared experiences and purpose.
Picture this: music thumping, glasses clinking, and controllers clicking. We fused nightlife with play at the Jameson Hangout, creating a space where the gaming crowd could vibe hard and game harder
With Upper Deck, we cracked open the world of game development for our community. Using UEFN, we ran workshops and challenges that empowered creators to imagine and build their own digital worlds.
We linked up with the crew behind the MTN ICT Expo to spotlight some of the digital tools shaping the future. It was a chance to look at how far the tech’s come and the role it’s playing across different industries.
Our signed creator, Genie, proudly represented us at the FNCS Fortnite esports event, competing against top-tier players across the region. He secured an impressive second place in the South African regionals, marking a major milestone in his competitive journey and a proud moment for our community.
We made the trip out to Kenya with BlockArt Creatives to tap into what’s really happening in the NFT and digital art space. Met some dope startups pushing boundaries in Web3 and blockchain, and got a feel for where things might be headed. It was a fresh look at how art and tech are starting to merge—and what that could mean for creators across the continent.
Barbra, one of our creators, pulled up to the Xbox Game Camp at Microsoft Nairobi and made the most of it. She got to learn from some serious names in the industry—diving into everything from building prototypes to leveling up as a game dev and launching new ideas. Big experience, real growth, and a chance to connect with people pushing the game forward.
We took our time before stepping into the NFT space—but when we finally did, we made sure it was meaningful. Our very first NFT was a gift to our community—something that felt like a natural expression of who we are and what we stand for. We called it The Art and Making of Arudem—a tribute to the journey, creativity, and spirit behind everything we’ve built together.
Our first shot at building a home for the community kicked off back in 2019. It had a solid run, but eventually wrapped. Fast forward to 2023,we came back stronger. Linked up with new partners and Fast Sports Fusion to relaunch a physical space where the community could pull up, vibe, and experience the brand in real life. It’s more than just a setup, it’s everything we stand for, built into one space.
What happens when anime and gaming collide at a block party? That’s the vibe we chased and Anime & Chill delivered. Teaming up with the event owners, we crafted a cross-genre experience that felt effortless and fired up, bringing together anime heads and gamers under one roof.
The community called for it, so we ran it back—an all-night grind session where the squad linked up and played ‘til sunrise. From Call of Duty and Mortal Kombat to League, it was straight vibes—trash talk, clutch plays, and memories that reminded us why this community hits different.
Arudem Academy linked up with Innovation Village to drop serious knowledge on building high-performance rigs for creatives and pros alike. Over six deep-dive sessions packed with hands-on tutoring, we armed the squad with the skills to design and build custom PCs built for their grind and creative flow
This was our way of passing down the knowledge we’ve gained through Arudem Academy. We set out to teach the next generation the fundamentals of game development—starting with beginner-friendly languages such as SCRATCH. By partnering with schools and experienced mentors, we created platforms where young learners could access hands-on lessons and grow their skills in a real, supportive environment.
Our first run in Kenya was all gas! Fandom meets fire gameplay. From Naiccon, Kenya’s answer to Comic-Con, packed with cosplay and anime heat, to hosting our first-ever COD Mobile tourney on Kenyan soil, we pulled up to connect, compete, and rep Uganda’s gaming scene loud and proud.
In partnership with GamrX, we hosted an online esports event built for the culture—bringing together some of the top talent from our community to compete in titles like FIFA and Mortal Kombat. The energy was high, even from behind screens, as players showed out with serious skill and competitive fire. This was a chance to spotlight homegrown talent, keep the community engaged, and build momentum around East Africa’s place in the wider esports scene.
Artist Naxa_UG threw a party—and we brought the game. At Goodmood Hangout, we blended art, music, and gaming in one unforgettable evening of play and good vibes.
We had the opportunity to showcase what Arudem has to offer at Tubayo Market Day—a vibrant, recurring event in Kampala that gives small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a platform to present their products and services to a wider audience. The event has become a cornerstone of Uganda’s entrepreneurial scene, especially empowering young and female entrepreneurs. Partnering with one of our collaborators, we made sure to highlight how our communities could connect, collaborate, and create something bigger together. And of course, our Arudem community showed out in full force—bringing the energy as always
We hit the main stage repping gaming for the third time at Uganda’s biggest digital art convention. Posted up alongside creators, builders, and visionaries, we tapped into the future of storytelling and next-gen culture. From cosplay and comics to gaming, NFTs, and everything in between. It was a full-on celebration of what’s next.
One of our own, Stryk out of Canada, took the stage at the Call of Duty League Champs in Toronto for the full three-day event. He linked up with die-hard COD fans and caught OpTic Texas flexing hard against the competition. Stryk brought it all back to the squad with vlogs and footage—giving our community front-row access to every moment of the action.
We made it official. With cameras rolling and the community hyped, we unveiled our new brand identity and merch line—ushering in the next era of Arudem.
The hype was unreal when we went live for the launch of the iconic Modern Warfare 2. It felt less like a stream and more like a virtual block party. Everyone pulled up, tapped in, and ran it together in real time. All powered by the squad over at Mountain Dew.
This was the full circle moment. The community showed up heavy,games were played, stories got shared, and the vibes were real. Community Day was a reminder of why we started all this in the first place: the love of the game and the power of the people behind it.
We opened the first version of our hangout at Fast Sports Fusion—and the community instantly connected with it. What started as a simple meet-up space quickly grew into something bigger. Through a series of events, gatherings, and shared experiences, we helped shape it into a thriving hub for our community and gamers across Uganda.
Mountain Dew linked up with Activision for a big in-game push on Call of Duty: Mobile, and we got the call. Fireworks Advertising led the charge and brought us in to tap directly into the local scene. This wasn’t just a brand deal, it was Arudem’s first-ever multinational partnership. A milestone. A statement. From digital drops to on-ground energy, we showed the world that East Africa’s gaming culture isn’t just growing, it’s built for the spotlight.
Some of the top names in African Warzone pulled up to Caldera for a $250 kill race,and it was nothing but heat. This was our second Warzone Invitational, teaming up with Tribe Uganda for Digi Art Fest ‘21. Straight-up gas from start to finish.
Back then, we were still rolling as Navvi, and Call of Duty was our whole world. We launched the Navvi Gaming Invitational to put the local COD scene on the map and show love to the players really carrying the game. Locked in partners like Club Pilsner and Next Media, pushed it across every platform we could, and ran up over 5,000 views. That one proved we weren’t just playing—we were building something real.
Back in 2019, we threw down one of our first real events;a FIFA 20 tourney that brought out 200 players deep. That moment lit the spark for everything we’ve been building at ARUDEM. It was our first real taste of what the gaming scene in Uganda could be,and we’ve been dialed in ever since.
In our humble beginnings—before we even had a name—we knew one thing for sure: our community needed a space to connect. So we set up a little shack, our very first hangout spot. It wasn’t much, but it was ours—a place where the spirit of Arudem was born, built on passion, play, and togetherness.
