City painter decorates taxis for a living
Nov 03, 2002
IN any business, attracting clients is crucial. This is the lifeline without which a business may crumble
By Denis Jjuuko
IN any business, attracting clients is crucial. This is the lifeline without which a business may crumble.
In the business of transporting passengers, the magic is in the wording and phrases you choose to paint on the bumper or the rear window.
When the Congolese music maestros had turned this country into their dollar printing machine, many taxis were seen with the writing “Koffi Olomidde,†“Yondo Sister,†“Arlus Mabele†or “Loketo.†Today, the likes of “Wanchekecha,†“Makanika†and “Ekim-beewo†grace our eyes.
Christopher Kabali is one of the artists behind this writing and painting innovation. The stout 38-year-old artist says he has been doing the work for over 16 years.
“I learnt all this on the job when I was still young. I used to work with the defunct UTC where we used to paint those Leyland buses with words such as ‘Peoples’ and the general painting,†he says.
Kabali is reluctant to reveal his education level but says, “I did not achieve a lot in formal education.â€
When UTC (Uganda Transport Company) closed in the 1990s, the talented painter started up his own workshop in Kisenyi behind Blue Room, on Namirembe Road. “I paint cars from here and at times we go to the parks whenever we are called upon,†he says.
Kabali employs two other boys to help him with the work. The paint is imported from Nairobi, Kenya. “The wording is at times chosen by the driver or owner of the vehicle. However, there are those who tell us to coin words for them. We look for phrases that will attract passengers.
Kabali says the wording are at times chosen depending on the situation. “When singer Lucky Dube was about to visit Uganda for the first time, his name was very popular and was painted on cars,†he says.
Kabali charges about sh3,000 for work on a taxi and for a bus or a lorry, about sh40,000. The fee depends on the number of colours to be mixed
He is married with children who are now studying.
IN any business, attracting clients is crucial. This is the lifeline without which a business may crumble.
In the business of transporting passengers, the magic is in the wording and phrases you choose to paint on the bumper or the rear window.
When the Congolese music maestros had turned this country into their dollar printing machine, many taxis were seen with the writing “Koffi Olomidde,†“Yondo Sister,†“Arlus Mabele†or “Loketo.†Today, the likes of “Wanchekecha,†“Makanika†and “Ekim-beewo†grace our eyes.
Christopher Kabali is one of the artists behind this writing and painting innovation. The stout 38-year-old artist says he has been doing the work for over 16 years.
“I learnt all this on the job when I was still young. I used to work with the defunct UTC where we used to paint those Leyland buses with words such as ‘Peoples’ and the general painting,†he says.
Kabali is reluctant to reveal his education level but says, “I did not achieve a lot in formal education.â€
When UTC (Uganda Transport Company) closed in the 1990s, the talented painter started up his own workshop in Kisenyi behind Blue Room, on Namirembe Road. “I paint cars from here and at times we go to the parks whenever we are called upon,†he says.
Kabali employs two other boys to help him with the work. The paint is imported from Nairobi, Kenya. “The wording is at times chosen by the driver or owner of the vehicle. However, there are those who tell us to coin words for them. We look for phrases that will attract passengers.
Kabali says the wording are at times chosen depending on the situation. “When singer Lucky Dube was about to visit Uganda for the first time, his name was very popular and was painted on cars,†he says.
Kabali charges about sh3,000 for work on a taxi and for a bus or a lorry, about sh40,000. The fee depends on the number of colours to be mixed
He is married with children who are now studying.