Impala Band Rocks London

The Ugandan community in London has got something to talk about as far as live music is concerned. The Impala band led by three prominent Ugandan musicians based in the UK is now the talk of London. Joseph Nsubuga (Sauti Kilo) a former Ebonies guitarist and vocalist, Deo Mukungu (Batuuse) formerly in Afrigo band and composer of the hit Afrigo Batuuse plus Betty Nanyonga Nsubuga are the ringleaders of Impala band that has brought live music to the Ugandan community.The band, which was formed a year ago, has now become a crowd puller with fans from all African communities based in London. It has already unveiled the original sound in music, lyrics, style and sentiments in the East African way — that has been missed by many for almost a decade. So, just when you thought you lost your touch, Impala is here to take you back to your roots.Over the weekend, the Impala band performed its heavy and lovely music popularly known as Ekyeggunda at the Eagle and the Child, Forest Gate in East London, that attracted hundreds of Ugandans, other African residents and whites as well, making the dance floor busy right from the beginning to the end.The audience went wild when Betty Nsubuga came on stage with the now popular hit Wanchekecha ng’ebinyeebwa and the non-stop encores from the audience forced the band to replay Wanchekecha three times.Speaking to The New Vision during an interval, Impala’s Bandleader Joseph Nsubuga said that his band was determined to make a change in London. “More music and no pretenses about who we are, what we want and what Impala is all about,” he said. He added that Ekyeggunda is no more no less than heavy sounding, sweet music that the fans love and enjoy. Deo Mukungu, a composer, vocalist and bass guitarist said Impala is a professional band committed to making a difference in London. Mukungu noted that there was so much fusion of music styles and rhythm — a real explosion of contemporary ideas, where many people are left behind before the feeling sets in. “What we are on about is to rekindle those feelings in the music vocally in the rhythm and melodies — and thus sound fresh for the new generation and cause nostalgia in those who have always wished to remember,” added Mukungu. The band has already released its first seven-track album Byaffe which is now selling like hot cakes in and around London. The particular song Byaffe pays homage to all Ethnic Arts and Sciences of our historical jigsaw puzzle, that are either recorded in folklore or have been documented. The band held their second gig on May 18, 2002 in Tooting Bec’s Classic Club, South London. Ends