Kinyakore songs reign at fete

May 11, 2004

LAST Friday, it was as if the whole of Ankole had shifted to Kampala. At Didi’s World Amusement Centre, Kasanga, western talented musicians thrilled their fans at the second Annual Western Musical Talent Festival.

By Pidson Kareire

LAST Friday, it was as if the whole of Ankole had shifted to Kampala. At Didi’s World Amusement Centre, Kasanga, western talented musicians thrilled their fans at the second Annual Western Musical Talent Festival. The show was sponsored by Radio West and co-sponsored by Simba Telecom.
Although the start was delayed because most revellers, including the chief guest, the State Minister for Finance and General Duties, Mwesigwa Rukutana, were held up by traffic jam, the fabulous performances made the wait worthwhile. The gates opened later than the planned 5:30pm and the function started three hours behind schedule.
After braving the traffic jam, several guests flocked the venue giving the show the right form before organisers could be thrown into disarray. The night’s MCs, Sulaiman Tiguragara Matoojo and Clare Kiyasiimire of Radio West, assured their audience that the festival would be fabulous. It was.
KADS Band, which excited the fans with John Kahwa’s Pulikeria, was first on stage. This was followed by David Kanini’s Byevugo (kinyankore poems), which he cited with a comic twist.
Mariam Kushaba of Ma-Africa Band then stormed the stage with her two songs, Omukazi Oweira and Genda Mpora.
It was a tactical move by the organisers to bring in Sister Charity of Rays Band because as it turned out, she worked the audience so much that everyone including the chief guest left their seats to dance to her single tune, Grade. Afrena Jazz Band from Fort Portal followed Charity and sang Kacwantege and Kantahe.
Zaharah Omumbejja of Romax Band sang Rukundo Yangye and Orugambo, two songs which both had Lingala beats.
Old-timer Stanley Kamparo, who thrilled music lovers in 1970s, was next. Others were Ngoma Band, Javoca Band, Ankole Production and Jennifer Band.
Although some fans were heard complaining that it was more of a Kinyankole affair with non-speakers of the language missing out on the meanings of the songs, everyone got up and danced to the contagious sounds.
Other guests at the function included MPs Mary Karooro Okurut, Winnie Matsiko, Elioda Tumwesigye, Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine and directors of Radio West, James Tumusiime and George Bibangamba.
The function, which ended at about 1:30am, was crowned by the giving of prizes to the best performers. Mary Karooro and Lt. Gen. Elly Tumwine who were judges gave out the prizes.
The over all winner was Rays Band with their single, Grade followed by Javoca Band. Ma-Africa Band was the best educative band followed by Jennifer Band. Best dancers were from Romax and Afrena bands.
The fete was concluded by the best single of the night, Mwege Grade, which forced the crowd onto the floor. They besieged Sister Charity, the singer, as she moved down from the stage to join them on the floor.

Ends

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