Music Star Wanchekecha Storms City

By Elvis Basudde Kyeyune The eagerly-awaited Tanzanian music sensation, Saida Kaloli, arrived in the country yesterday aboard Air Tanzania for a show at Nakivubo Stadium this Sunday. The Kitoobero Mulongooti show is organised by the Central Broadcasting Service (CBS) to mark the radio’s fifth anniversary and the acquisition of a new mast. Saida will perform all her songs on her latest album, Maria Salome, which are in a mixture of her native language, Luhaya, and Swahili. The tracks include Maria Salome otherwise known as Wanchekecha or Cholera, Ndombolo ya solo, Kaisiki, Kyambua kama karanga among others. The album is a household name in East Africa. The diminutive 24-year-old singer commonly known as Wanchekecha, wearing a T-shirt and faded jeans, received a rousing welcome from her Ugandan fans who had thronged the airport to welcome her. Her convoy from Entebbe was led by Kampala’s popular bikers, Dingi. She was received by Martin Ssemakula, chairman of Kitoobero Mulongooti and Medi Nsereko Ssebuliba, the deputy chairman. “I am happy to be in Uganda where I am told I have very many fans. I am going to merit your confidence by giving you my very best performance,” Saida said at Entebbe. She was accompanied by her promoter, Seyani Muta and her bodyguard, Margaret Munye. Her 17-member band arrived the same day by road via Nairobi. Saida started as a rural singer after dropping out of school in P6. Her melodious voice attracted her promoter. She is married to her guitarist and has three children. Ends