Miss Makerere Lacked
Mar 14, 2004
It has come to passing notice that no matter where the social function is set up in town or in the outskirts, organisers will never ever be able to keep time as they had promised.
By Roger Mugisha
It has come to passing notice that no matter where the social function is set up in town or in the outskirts, organisers will never ever be able to keep time as they had promised. Therefore, last Saturday’s Miss Makerere pageant at Hotel Africana was no exception.
Set amidst the wide and scenic poolside, the pageant did not kick off until 9:00pm mainly because of poor sound and organisation.
In fact, the organisation was so bad that even the VIP seating that was meant to host all the major sponsors of the event was not only separated by a string of sisal but it was geographically poorly situated far from the stage. One had to crane their necks to get a glimpse of what was happening on stage.
Even after parting with sh4m, the sponsors still had to dig deep into their pockets to buy their own drinks and food. ‘Uncle Mitch’, the verbose presenter from Sanyu FM, was overheard repeatedly exchanging words with some the organisers about the lack of hospitality, petite seating space and no amenities whatsoever.
Even the judges too complained about the lack of drinks and their food orders that were taken but never materialised.
Nevertheless, the show had to go on. If there was anything that the organisers did right, it was to woo so big a crowd. All the stairs, verandas, pavilion seats and lawns were filled to capacity by anxious and trendily dressed Makerere University students anticipating a new queen.
A peep of activity graced the stage with the entrance of East African television presenter Sister Dread, who seemed a little overdressed in an Erykah Badu hair wrap and a traditional African outfit. She was shortly joined by Jam Agenda and Monitor FM presenter Junior Kazoora who effortlessly received the crowds’ cheers.
The born musicians started off the performances even though they were unable to lighten the unenthusiastic crowds. This was followed by the Ugandan ‘Michael Jackson’, who even spared a fall on his back in a bid to cast boredom from the audiences. Morris, instead awakened the crowd with his single stop.
Then in sashayed the girls, briefly but with vivid energy. Even after having undergone intensive training in choreography, catwalk skills, stage awareness, voice training and temper control conducted by Devine Modelling Agency, the 12 contestants appeared frail and uncertain of themselves while on stage. Probably because of the overwhelming crowds, their utterances and the hankering to please them. The contestants were mainly comprised of those with flab, who did not know how to smile and could not even walk down the aisle even if their lives depended on it. It was evident from the start that Esther Kemigisha, Mellisa Achen, Sharifah Ndagire and Diana Nakajja were the crowds’ favourites.
By the time Roge, the dancer came on and unleashed his lacklustre dance routine, there was a feeling the show was beginning to drag. And indeed the next performances by Mad Tiger, Orlando (did Nakonkona), Ragga Dee (performed Ka mukube Empeta and Nkooye Obubapangisa) and Trishila went on forever taking some steam out of the event.
The girls returned with dashing and creative outfits in both the casual and evening categories but the catwalk still sold them short. It was after vigorous presentations from Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Ziggy Dee that the judges selected 7 out of 12 contestants for the finals.
As for Prolite Promotions Agency, which was responsible for making the girls look beautiful and train them in the art of public speaking, they were successful in only the former but fell flat on their faces with the latter. The girls either dilly-dallied around the questions asked, presented sketchy answers or opted to answer things that were not even asked giving the judges a field day of both verbal and optical nutrition.
Diannah Miriam Nankajja, was asked who the minister of state for higher learning was and she said with such foolish confidence that it was, “Honourable Namirembe Bitamazireâ€! Another was asked what she hoped to change as Miss Makerere and all she could come up with was some mambo jambo about saving orphans.
The Longomba brothers (Awillo Longombas’ cousins) from Kenya proved their worth with Piga Makofi and the highly energetic Dondosa which lifted the audience like a hurricane as they sang along only meticulously.
It was here that the judges came up with the verdict. The second runner up Nakasujja Edith walked away with a mobile phone and dinner for two at the Kampala Casino as 1st runner up Ester Kemigisha scooped a trip to South Africa’s luxurious Sun City. At this time, the Miss Makerere for 2004/2005 Melissa Acen was read out and the students approval in cheers.
Melissa Acen who seemed to be caught completely off-guard with her trademark smile, pretty eyes, and daring appeal had become the proud owner of a Honda Civic and the title of Miss Makerere. “Her lovely smile, teeth and panache made her truly worthy of the title,†said Edwin Kato, a student of Makerere.
Some of the noticeables were Irene Kulabako, Lieutenant General Elly Tumwine and Captain Juma Seiko who was also guest of honour.
The sponsors included East African Procurement News, Club Silk, Property Masters, Capital FM, Sanyu FM, Clair Products, Red Pepper, Club and Protector condoms.
Ends
It has come to passing notice that no matter where the social function is set up in town or in the outskirts, organisers will never ever be able to keep time as they had promised. Therefore, last Saturday’s Miss Makerere pageant at Hotel Africana was no exception.
Set amidst the wide and scenic poolside, the pageant did not kick off until 9:00pm mainly because of poor sound and organisation.
In fact, the organisation was so bad that even the VIP seating that was meant to host all the major sponsors of the event was not only separated by a string of sisal but it was geographically poorly situated far from the stage. One had to crane their necks to get a glimpse of what was happening on stage.
Even after parting with sh4m, the sponsors still had to dig deep into their pockets to buy their own drinks and food. ‘Uncle Mitch’, the verbose presenter from Sanyu FM, was overheard repeatedly exchanging words with some the organisers about the lack of hospitality, petite seating space and no amenities whatsoever.
Even the judges too complained about the lack of drinks and their food orders that were taken but never materialised.
Nevertheless, the show had to go on. If there was anything that the organisers did right, it was to woo so big a crowd. All the stairs, verandas, pavilion seats and lawns were filled to capacity by anxious and trendily dressed Makerere University students anticipating a new queen.
A peep of activity graced the stage with the entrance of East African television presenter Sister Dread, who seemed a little overdressed in an Erykah Badu hair wrap and a traditional African outfit. She was shortly joined by Jam Agenda and Monitor FM presenter Junior Kazoora who effortlessly received the crowds’ cheers.
The born musicians started off the performances even though they were unable to lighten the unenthusiastic crowds. This was followed by the Ugandan ‘Michael Jackson’, who even spared a fall on his back in a bid to cast boredom from the audiences. Morris, instead awakened the crowd with his single stop.
Then in sashayed the girls, briefly but with vivid energy. Even after having undergone intensive training in choreography, catwalk skills, stage awareness, voice training and temper control conducted by Devine Modelling Agency, the 12 contestants appeared frail and uncertain of themselves while on stage. Probably because of the overwhelming crowds, their utterances and the hankering to please them. The contestants were mainly comprised of those with flab, who did not know how to smile and could not even walk down the aisle even if their lives depended on it. It was evident from the start that Esther Kemigisha, Mellisa Achen, Sharifah Ndagire and Diana Nakajja were the crowds’ favourites.
By the time Roge, the dancer came on and unleashed his lacklustre dance routine, there was a feeling the show was beginning to drag. And indeed the next performances by Mad Tiger, Orlando (did Nakonkona), Ragga Dee (performed Ka mukube Empeta and Nkooye Obubapangisa) and Trishila went on forever taking some steam out of the event.
The girls returned with dashing and creative outfits in both the casual and evening categories but the catwalk still sold them short. It was after vigorous presentations from Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Ziggy Dee that the judges selected 7 out of 12 contestants for the finals.
As for Prolite Promotions Agency, which was responsible for making the girls look beautiful and train them in the art of public speaking, they were successful in only the former but fell flat on their faces with the latter. The girls either dilly-dallied around the questions asked, presented sketchy answers or opted to answer things that were not even asked giving the judges a field day of both verbal and optical nutrition.
Diannah Miriam Nankajja, was asked who the minister of state for higher learning was and she said with such foolish confidence that it was, “Honourable Namirembe Bitamazireâ€! Another was asked what she hoped to change as Miss Makerere and all she could come up with was some mambo jambo about saving orphans.
The Longomba brothers (Awillo Longombas’ cousins) from Kenya proved their worth with Piga Makofi and the highly energetic Dondosa which lifted the audience like a hurricane as they sang along only meticulously.
It was here that the judges came up with the verdict. The second runner up Nakasujja Edith walked away with a mobile phone and dinner for two at the Kampala Casino as 1st runner up Ester Kemigisha scooped a trip to South Africa’s luxurious Sun City. At this time, the Miss Makerere for 2004/2005 Melissa Acen was read out and the students approval in cheers.
Melissa Acen who seemed to be caught completely off-guard with her trademark smile, pretty eyes, and daring appeal had become the proud owner of a Honda Civic and the title of Miss Makerere. “Her lovely smile, teeth and panache made her truly worthy of the title,†said Edwin Kato, a student of Makerere.
Some of the noticeables were Irene Kulabako, Lieutenant General Elly Tumwine and Captain Juma Seiko who was also guest of honour.
The sponsors included East African Procurement News, Club Silk, Property Masters, Capital FM, Sanyu FM, Clair Products, Red Pepper, Club and Protector condoms.
Ends