By Jude Katende and Titus Sserunjogi
The third Pearl of Africa Music Awards was full of surprises. Steve Jean, Father Anthony Musaala, All Hip-hop stars, Lyrical G and Fred Ssebatta astonished the audience when they won.

Kora Award winner George Okudi was now nowhere. In his place was Musaala who wowed everyone with his Tusimbe Fenna mu Kisinde. It was predictable for Mesach Semakula to win the Artiste of the year and the Best Male Artiste awards.

So was Juliana Kanyomoozi who was confident that she would win every prize and her duet Maama Mbiire with Bobi Wine was voted song of the year. Most people surmised that had it not been for Juliana, Wine would have walked away empty-handed. Steve Jean was another winner we all felt for when he was called to take the Producer of the year title, although some thought Eddie Yawe would take it given his share of good hits.

Blu*3’s award for best video was a long time coming. The best Hip-hop artiste/Group seemed to be a tug of war between Navio and Krazy Native. But Lyrical G scooped the award.

East world, who bagged four awards last year went away empty handed! That was proof that the awards were turning professional.

It must have been a breath of fresh air for Afrigo band to finally win the Lifetime Achievement Award. Moses Matovu said, “It is wonderful that we have finally been recognised with a PAM Award. Afrigo is the mother of all bands in Uganda.” But none has ever deserved that award better than Afrigo. They’re the only lifetime award nominees whose music was still relevant to mainstream Ugandans.

Sebatta has tried to climb up to his title of Lord again, his Kilimanjaro having won he best Kadongo Kamu single. Sweet Kid thanked his lucky stars for letting him win the Best New Artiste award. There’s talk that the awards had leaked around town. That is what KADS band’s William Kamukama said when asked why Prossy Kankunda hadn’t turned up.

She was vying against Juliana for the Best Female artiste. Chagga was present but he refused to perform after he found that Chameleone had trounced him for Best Afrobeat.
Ends