Magoola Leaves Afrigo

By Kalungi Kabuye & Abubaker Mukose RECHAEL Magoola, Afrigo Band’s long-serving co-lead vocalist, is finally set to leave Uganda’s popular band. She is to officially retire from the band later this month to do what she called her own thing. “I’ve had a long and fruitful relationship with Afrigo but I think it is time to move on and do my own thing,” she told The New Vision, adding “I’ve given some of my best years to the band and I think it is time to slow down, step back a little bit and look at my life, and decide what I want to do with the rest of it.” Last year, Magoola was rumoured to be leaving the band to set up her own in Europe but that was denied by Afrigo directors and Magoola herself. Executive director James Wasula confirmed that Magoola was leaving the band but said the final details were being worked out. “It is true Rachael is retiring from Afrigo,” Wasula said. “It has been an amicable decision and there are no hard feelings. She handed in her letter about a month ago and that was very civil of her because some other former band members just left without telling anybody.” Magoola joined Afrigo in 1989 and later became one of the lead vocalists, alongside Joanita Kawalya. She has had several hit songs, including the immensely popular Obangaina. She said she enjoyed being with Afrigo and does not regret the 12 years she spent there. “Being with Afrigo has been a learning process and also a lot of fun,” she said. “Wherever I go or whatever I do, I will not forget the time I spent with the band.” Some sources from Jinja said Magoola had formed a band, RAMA (from her names Rachael Magoola), and is set to be launched on September 17. She denied the claims, saying RAMA was a business company she set up with her mother, Beatrice Magoola, Woman MP for Iganga district. Ends