The Kampala Casino anniversary party

By Timothy Bukumunhe There is a crude rule of thumb as to whether or not one should attend a society event. If an invitation can be spun like a frisbee across the living room and hits the far wall with a clatter, the reply is affirmative. If, on the other hand, the invitation is so thin it flutters to floor, the answer is a definite ‘No thank you’. As regards Kampala Casino, the answer always has to be ‘yes’. The Kampala Casino anniversary bashes are, as far as most of the invitees are concerned, not only a chance for them to appear on WBS’s ShowTime Magazine, but to have their picture appear on this page and, of course, to rub shoulders with people who think (some rightly) that they define high society. At least half the people who turn up at the Casino bashes do not have the faintest idea what they are doing there, except that it’s a party of some sort. This year’s bash was no exception, and as usual, the Casino once again excelled themselves. Santa Anzayo, the one time right hand woman of Miss Uganda supremo Sylvia Owori, used the occasion the unveil her models from her new agency, Ararapa and, judging by the drools emanating from the mouths of the men, it was given a sign of approval. As the party unfolded, not withstanding the drama at the bar, where there was jostling for drinks and food, the obvious invitees rather than standing there looking like they don’t really belong, headed for one of the various ‘cacacus’ that sprung up and made their home there. The Politicians Corner Mike Mukula took centre stage here. His strategic positions meant that he was impossible to miss. Beaming, he took his handshakes and congratulatory pats on the back for being appointed to the cabinet. He was supported in the corner by Sam Kuteesa and Brig Jim Muhwezi. James Wapakabulo, Former NPC boss and Casino regular, sneaked in late in the night. And of course, no Casino bash would be complete without would be Kampala Mayor/MP/ James Kuulubya! The Lawyers Corner Lawyers will always be lawyers. They speak in whispers and it was next to impossible to eavesdrop on their discussion. And like true lawyers they kept their ties on save for Edwin Karigure who, maybe with the help of his fashion designer wife Natasha, opted not to wear one. In this corner were Andrew Kasirye and Robert Kabushenga, amongst others. The Media Corner WBS’s Shwotime Magazine host Karitas Karusimbe held court here with her three look-alike sisters in tow. Supporting her were Jam Agenda’s Colin Seruibiri; Capital FM’s Alex Ndawula and wife Dru; Radio One’s Brenda Z’obbo, The Monitor’s Evelyn Kiapi. The Brewers’ Corner The Nile boys did everything they could possibly think of to upstage their counterparts from Bell. Nile’s Billy Blick drooled over Santa’s models. Chris Ireland did not attempt to sing for a change and Roni Madhvani kept a low profile near one of the gaming tables. Though he was hard to notice, Uganda Breweries Sandor Walusimbi was there too, as were his colleagues Marion Adengo and Lewis Jones who dressed up for the occasion. The Brothers Corner The brothers corner was exclusively taken up by the Katto boys. Rally ace Emma Katto, showing no signs of responding to any ‘infectious smiles’ that might be directed at him, hovered near the bar with his brothers Patrick and John. Though the family have taken quite a bit of a battering, they all kept a stiff upper lip and they were hardly short of people willing to talk to them. The Tycoons Corner Sudhir Ruparelia was there in a class of his own, unrivalled and unequalled. Noticeable Absentees Sylvia Owori; WBS’s Elvis Sekyanzi and Steven Kavuma; Simba FM’s Aga Sekalala Jr; Jackie and Jack Bagaire; Thomas and Kizito Serumaga; Capital FM’s Christine Mawadri, Zizinga Sam Ayo and Patricia O’koed. The Drunks’ Corner We don’t know who he was, but if his clothing was anything to go by, he must have fluked. Somewhere down the line his legs had different intentions and he went crashing to the floor outside the girls’ toilets. Then there is the man in the cream suit who cheered every time he got a beer. The Girls Corner This had Jysotna Ruparellia, Annette Kironde, Chantal Bunyenyezi, Jennifer Zizinga, Angelica Arden, Susan Muhwezi, Susan Katto, Julie Sekyanzi, Anne Abeja, Sheena Mukasa and Loy Obote.