By Alex Balimwikungu, Dan Muhenda & Dennis Asiimwe

Musician Jackie Chandiru and city lawyer Caleb Alaka have previously  made headlines for their on-off romance. 

For a better part of last year, the couple became a popular subject of tabloid fodder as Jackie was embroiled in an ugly battle of affection with Linda Namuli, the mother of Alaka’s three children, which garnered the city smart lawyer some unwarranted spotlight.

As it is, the year 2013 is Jackie’s year. She's had a tempestuous love life, but it seems she has  finally won the battle of affections and is ready to settle down with Caleb Alaka.  This has also been boosted by the fact that her nemesis, Linda Namuli seems to have  finally given up the  fight for the father of her three children.

Secret Rendezvous

The talented musician, who sometime last year reportedly cancelled a Kwanjula,  (traditional introduction ceremony) under claims that Alaka wasn’t worth  fighting for after all, has certainly had a change of heart and her persistence has finally paid off this year.

Exclusive pictures obtained by  the Kampala Sun over the festive period show that it was indeed happy holidays for the loved up Jackie and Alaka, who cemented their love by enjoying a romantic rendevous at an exclusive luxury hotel in Eldoret, Kenya, which is a  firm favourite of the rich and famous.

In the pictures, it is evident the couple is having a carefree, relaxed holiday and they look chilled out.  The 28-year-old Chandiru ensures her ‘husband’s’ eyes were only trained on her in a tiny two piece bikini as she hung out with him at the hotel poolside.

Chandiru, who looks steamy in her bikini, is certainly delighted to be on holiday with Alaka, and she drapes herself around him in one of the pictures looking totally loved up.

She looks fabulous in a two piece. Jackie who is one of the  fittest people in showbiz, isn’t afraid to show her curvy body, which she carries around in confidence.

However, Alaka’s choice of clothing is a tad disappointing which perhaps impacts on his mood. Though Jackie seems in the mood to be active, Alaka is a little laid back and occasionally sips on his beer from a sun lounger.

His choice of a black polyester shirt and khaki trousers make him stand out like a bad rash at the poolside. He appears like one headed to chair a clan meeting. 

When he changes into a trendy polo shirt, he appears more relaxed and the couple actually cosy up.  They are in sync with each other and Alaka has a massive grin etched on his face.

In an overt show of intense emotion, the couple share a kiss and Alaka’s feelings for Chandiru are palpable. 

The series of pictures, availed by a source, end with a loved up Jackie, lying in bed and showing the full effect of an after glow. Her posture portends a sense of fulfilment, completeness, and general wellbeing of a woman whose every need has been fulfilled. 

Alaka with Namuli at his introduction before Jackie came into the picture

 Don’t call his phone

The couple’s secret rendezvous indeed marks an end to a difficult year for Jackie who  suffered anxiety and stress when news  filtered that she had snatched a married man.

Jackie was particularly unhappy when a story we run last year titled: “Jackie Alaka Love twist” insinuated they were not happy and on the verge of collapse. It was followed with a kiss and tell story from Linda Namuli, who narrated how Chandiru had invited misery upon the lawyer’s life; he was battling some demons.

There were mixed reactions, with some claiming she was a gold digger while others sympathized and said destiny brought her and Alaka together. As it is, Jackie will not let this battle go lying down. 

Late last year, she released a scathing song titled” “Don’t Call his Phone”.  There was no attempt to veil her message in the song. From the onset, many concluded it was a riposte to her co-wife, Linda Namuli.

“She was telling Linda not to bother her man because he is with another woman who is none other than Jackie herself,” Simon, a local music producer added.

Namuli gives up

A source close to the couple tells  the Kampala Sun that if ever there is anything Linda Namuli and Alaka still share, it is memories of the past and the DNA they contributed to their three children.

However as it is, Namuli has  finally resigned to losing her man to Chandiru, who she dragged to Kira Police, Wakiso district accusing her for being behind the disappearance of her (Namuli’s) cell-phone. 

Following the bickering between these two ladies, it has been clear where Alaka’s affections have drifted. A close friend of Linda says she has decided to sit back and watch Alaka go where his heart prefers to be.  

The source, for instance says that ever since Alaka, with the help of cousins took the three kids to Jackie, they have since gelled. During school term, she personally chauffeurs them to and from City Parents School. When she is away on music tours, there are nannies at their beck and call.

The source says that Namuli has since thrown herself at di erent business projects and is always on the road.  is has ensured that the once “tightly guarded home” fell to Jackie on a silver platter.

It is pretty much the same with Alaka’s official car, a VX Prado. Previously, when Namuli expressed her apprehension at the mere thought of Jackie using Alaka’s car, after she sold her own chassis Mitsubishi Pajero, it has all changed and is permanently in Jackie’s possession.

You don’t have to be an expert on Kampala’s social circuit to realize that the Caleb Alaka and Jackie Chandiru romance is to us Kanye West and Kim Kardashian are to the celebrity world.

Just like news of Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy news brought entertainment world to a stand-still, we should brace for our own version when the inevitable happens between Alaka and Chandiru.  That 2013 is Jackie’s year, only time will tell.

Success follows her in music

More often than not, Jackie appeared in the media last year for the wrong reasons. 

A bit of a prickly character, this shouldn’t have been that surprising. But there was more to Jackie last year than the tiffs with a rival in her love life and the speculation over her lawyerly beau.

The flip side of the coin showed a singer who continued the progress she had been making since Blu3 decided to try the solo route. 

When a comparison is made between the 3 (or should we say 4) singers from the group, Mya is more interesting to look at (possibly because of how she moves on stage); Lillian Mbabazi is more naturally talented (that Janis Joplin voice gets me every time); Cindy is way more sassy and a better natural entertainer.

Jackie, however, was always the creative hub of the group and was also able to combine bits of the traits that each of the other singers had; as a result, she is the more complete musician and entertainer of the four. 

It makes sense that she has arguably become more  influential as a singer when each of their solo careers is taken into consideration, especially keeping in mind the early success of Lillian and Cindy (who of course had a head-start on all the original three girls a er being kicked out of the group).

And the industry recognizes this, with Chandiru being one of the most sought-out names in 2012 for corporate gigs as well as live music performances.

In 2013, if Jackie can put aside the minor soap opera that is her love life and focus on her career, she could widen the gap between her and the other three (former?) Blu3 members. And musically speaking, that can only be a good thing.

The Kampala Sun