Bakayimbira excite London

By Frank Mubiru in London Bakayimbira Dramactors have become the talk of London among the Ugandan community after staging three successful perfomances. The group of 17 arrived last month and opened their tour with a play Ekiryaatabaala at Rex Hall in Stratford, East London, on May 20. There was an audience of over 600 people. The last two weekends saw their popular play Vanisa ne Tito being performed at Upton Lane in East London and Tooting in South London respctively. Charles Ssenkubuge 'Siasa', former presidential candidate, only performed in the first show before flying back to Uganda. Ben Kibuuka, the group's director, told Vision Weekend that Ssenkubuge will perform in the grand finale. This will include Ragga Dee as a guest artist with his new album Cissy. He applauded the London audience for being welcoming and exciting. Among the performers were Benon Kibuuka, Joy Matovu, Bob Fred Mpiima and Jean Nakacwa popularly known as "Mukyala Neighbour" on Radio Simba. They brought a number of different items for sale, which included Ssenkubuge's presidential posters that sold like hot cakes and are out of stock now. Among other items being sold are ekkanzu (tunics), mats and bikooyi. Robert Kageme, one of the organisers of this tour, announced during last weekend's show at Tooting that Paul Kafeero, a renown kadongo kamu singer, will perform in London soon. The audience welcomed the news with a very big round of applause. This weekend, Bakayimbira will be performing Ebibala bya Nantongo at 19A Upton Lane in East London. Ends