Ziper models stir up Gaddafi’s men

By Matthias Mugisha in Tripoli, Libya Sleep, eat good. Swim and wait telephone, if you want go home — Ugandans in Libya who felt homesick during the just concluded Al Fatah festivities, were always told. It all started at 7:15pm on August 29, when the Transafrican Express plane took off from Entebbe Airport en route to Tripoli, Libya. On board was a variety of personalities who included Miss Uganda, Victoria Nabunya and her two runners-up, Juliet Epenu and Natasha Sinayobe, Best Kemigisa, queen mother of Tooro Kingdom, Sylvia Owori and the Ziper models. Sarah Kagingo representing Divinity Union also got her self a slot in the plane’s first class cabin. Musician Kaweesa was also on the plane and he did indeed, spice up the fashion shows. The reason for the free trip that excited the Ugandans on board, was that Libya was celebrating her 32th anniversary of the Al Fatah Revolution. And after that there would be a week long of festivities. Every year, on September 1, Libyan revolutionary leader Col Muámmar Abu Manyir Al Gaddafi commemorates his bloodless military coup against the monarchy of former King Idriss 1 — Emir Sayyid Mohammed Idriss el Mahdi El Senussi in 1969. After the coup Gaddafi subsequently became the leader of the Libyan Jamahiriya. Jamahiriya means a state which includes all its people and is run by all its people regardless of race, language or beliefs. With the desire to create the United States of Africa, the Libyan leader Col Muámmar Gadd afi invited many African nations to take part in cultural festivities to mark the 32nd Al- Fatah revolution anniversary. Five hours after take off from Entebbe, Tooro’s queen mother was accorded VIP treatment at Tripoli international airport. A red carpet reception, and cameras from the Libyan media flashed as she was whisked away to El Mahari hotel, where she joined other visiting African heads of states. The six Ugandan journalist joined other journalists at Bab El Bahr Hotel, while the Ziper models, who had earlier checked into El Kabir Hotel, were shifted to El Mahari Hotel, where they mingled with the presidents. Fun. Fun for the Ugandan girls who clad in their swim gear, invaded El Kabir hotel’s swimming pool in droves. For hours, the Libyan men who are not used to seeing plenty of flesh exposed, looked on. They gathered courage and asked: “Where do you come from?’’ “Uganda,’’ the girls replied. “Ehh Ghana, Ghana?’’ they men shouted back. It took many trials for them to pronounce ‘Uganda’, after which they exclaimed — “Oh, oh. Yah Museveni girls.’’ After swimming, more adventure was in store for Owori’s crew. They started by sharing elevators with the visiting African heads of states. Night came and never went by without a happening. That night, the Libyan great leader, Col Muámmar Gaddafi, with several other African presidents, in the safety of his palace that was bombed by US president Ronald Reagan on April 26, 1986 opened his eyes only to see Uganda models chief whip, Eva Mbabazi brandishing a banner. Mbabazi’s banner read “Ziper models Uganda.’’ With clean shaven head, everybody thought she was a man. She confidently walked up to where Gaddafi was sitting and removed her head gear. The heads of state were shocked to find she was a girl. Uganda musician Kaweesa and the Ndere troupe provided the African rhythms of the night. Kawesa’s song Hakuna Matata left everybody including the presidents involuntarily shaking their bodies and hearts to the African beats. The song Miss Uganda composed by Kaweesa and played during the Miss Uganda contest at Munyonyo last month, moved everybody. The most eye catching outfits displayed, were those made from animal skin. Many African models from Togo, Tunisia, Ghana and Libya also took part. Other models were from Niana School of Beauty and Modelling, Ethiopia. The Togolese musicians amused everybody when they came on stage dressed like women. Though many people debated about whether the Ethiopian Niana models had dwarfed their Ugandan Ziper counterparts, Gaddafi made his verdict. The great Libyan leader specifically invited the Ziper models to pay him an exclusive visit the following day. He met them before going for the National celebrations. “Feel at home. This is your second home. I have much respect for women. Stay as long as you can and feel free to come back any time you want,” he told the Zipers after Owori introduced Miss Uganda to him. Miss Uganda, Victoria Nabunya, had earlier won the admiration of the audience during the first public fashion show for Tripoli’s A class. The press had their field day. At Boussetta Horse Course in Tripoli, where the last fashion show was held, the excitement was explosive. Not because Uganda Ambassador to Libya, His Excellency William Hakiza who came with his wife and other Ugandan Diplomats was the chief guest. No. It was Eva Mbabazi. This time, minus the fish net, but she did make an impression. The Libyan strict Islamic influenced culture does not allow women to wear short dresses. But Mbabazi and Abotile were clad in outfits that revealed more of what they were supposed to hide. After the show, some Libyans men stormed the back stage to have their photographs taken with the Ziper Models. “My friend, my African brada, me want picture wid Ghanda (Uganda) girl Me good man hey,” pleaded one Eiad Hamdan. “Uganda has done well. They have beaten our group,” remarked Robert Bentil, the deputy editor of the Ghanaian times, after the show. “Swim, enjoy. Eat good. If you want to go back, maybe today, maybe tomorrow,’’ the officials would tell the Ugandan homesick girls. They wanted the Ugandans girls to keep around, a bit longer. ends