By Sebidde Kiryowa
It was apparent in everything he said on Saturday night at the fourth Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards at the Cricket Oval, Lugogo. Bobi Wine was relieved that he finally got an award in recognition of a solo effort.
After failing to win anything for himself for the past three years, one gets the feeling that any award could have done. But to be named artiste of the year was just too much to take in. Yet there were absolutely no misgivings about him winning the big one. This was clearly the year for his (solo) supremacy. If you doubt it, it might serve you to remember that the man garnered seven nominations, the highest for a single artiste in the short history of the awards.
That he managed to salvage only two awards does not even matter; he is the top dog in the local musical world. Yet it was not all about Wine. Iryn Namubiru, to the relief of many, scooped the Best Female Artiste Award. She won two of four nominations.
Mesach Semakula managed to retain the Best Male Artiste glory for three years running now! It has been a busy and productive year for singer Bebe Cool and the dividends were there for all to see – two awards including the coveted Song of the year (with Necessary Noize).
Ragga Dee and Jose Chameleone are the only musical giants who underachieved at the awards but the latter’s victory in the Video of the Year category was so spectacular it made up for any losses.
But the happiest artistes of the night were always the surprise winners. Lyrical G who scooped both hip-hop single and artiste awards could not believe he beat the Hip-hop All Stars. Mathias Walukaga, who has taken a back seat for a while breezed through the Kadongo Kamu awards like a blizzard.
But he was not the only first time winner. Peter Miles finally got what has been coming to him forever! He deservedly scooped the Best Ragga artiste award. The same could be said of the talented Maurice Kirya who took home the Best R&B artiste award.
Ronald Mayinja’s Tulikubukenke was appropriately rewarded while Mark P won a regional award as did did DJ Laguna and Lady Mariam. Eddie Yawe too finally got the recognition he deserved for churning out all those hits from his Kamwokya-based Dream Studios as did Phina Mugerwa whose wriggling got her the Best New Artiste accolade. Silver Kyagulanyi was the obvious first winner for the Song writer of the year award.
Among those who had a productive year but took nothing home despite their nominations were Ngoni, The Obsessions, General Mega Dee, Blu *3, Geoffrey Lutaaya, Sheila Nvannungi, Gatimo, Grace & Paragon, Rocky Giant and Titi.
The foreign section of the awards too caused a stir in some areas.
The audience seemed especially grateful that Nameless was named best Kenyan male artiste. Necessary Noize were appropriately rewarded for rocking Ugandans while Bushoke and Lady Jay Dee were the Tanzanian favourites. No one seemed to care much for the Rwandese although Jean Paul Samputu’s victory was welcomed.
Last words From an industry keen observer’s view point, the PAM Awards 2006 were only as fair as they could possibly get.


Best Hip-hop single
Hey U (Lyrical G)
Best Hip-hop artiste/group
Lyrical G
Best Afrobeat single
Omwana Wabandi (Bobi Wine)
Best Afrobeat artiste
Jose Chameleone
Best Gospel single
Beera Nange (Judith Babirye),
Best Gospel artiste/group
Father Anthony Musaala
Best Cultural artiste/group
Ndere Troupe,
Best Folkpop artiste/group
Percussion Discussion,
Best Kadongo Kamu single
Babibagambo Boys (Mathias Walukaga),
Best Kadongo Kamu artiste/group
Mathias Walukaga,
Best Ragga artiste/group
Peter Miles,
Best Reggae artiste/group
Bebe Cool
Best R&B single
Nkuweeki (Iryn Namubiru),
Best R&B artiste/group
Maurice Kirya
Best live band
Eagle’s Band
Best live band single
Tulikubunkenke (Ronald Mayinja),
Northern artiste of the year
DJ Languna,
Western artiste of the year
Lady Mariam
Eastern artiste of the year
Mark P
Audio producer of the year
Eddie Yawe
Best female artiste
Iryn Namubiru
Best male artiste
Mesach Semakula
Artiste of the year
Bobi Wine
Song of the year
Fire Anthem (E. African Bashment Crew)
Video of the year
Oyagala Cash (Ragga Dee)
Best New Artiste
Phina Mugerwa,
Song writer of the year
Sylver Kyagulanyi
Best male artiste-Kenya
Nameless
Best male artiste-Rwanda
Jean Paul Samputu
Best male artiste-Tanzania
Bushoke
Best band/group-Kenya
Necessary Noize
Best band/group-Rwanda
The Brothers
Best band/group- Tanzania
TMK Wanaume
Best female artiste-Kenya
Nazizi
Best female artiste-Tanzania
Lady Jay Dee
Best female artiste- Rwanda
Queen Ally
Lifetime achievement award
George Kakoma