Kusasira, what really happened to that Dubai show?

Eagles Productions Band members Haruna Mubiru, Maureen Natume and Catherine Kusasira (above) were scheduled to perform at the Submarine Club for their Ugandan fans in Dubai, UAE, recently.

Eager fans had apparently traveled from as far as Abu Dhabi and Ras Khaimah and slept over in Dubai for the night just to catch the concert the next evening. Alas, it never was! Angry fans demanded for an explanation.

Haider Luwaga, the director of the club and the show promoter, says the singers got a problem with their visa applications. Apparently, he says, there’s a new rule which requires all performing artists to get only a 72 hours transit visa instead of the usual two weeks’ business or tourist visa.

As such, the artistes, who had applied a fortnight before, had their applications denied. Immigration officials in Dubai apparently rejected re-application before the expiry of 21 days. But, Haruna Mubiru had earlier posted on his Facebook wall: “Sorry I could not make ma trip to Dubai. I lost a long time friend, brother and comrade Baker Kinene. I will reschedule my trip.”

So what really happened?