Sanyu FM's DJ Bangi dies at 44
BARELY a weekly after the slaying of South African music legend Lucky Dube, Kampala residents were yesterday shocked by the death of popular DJ Wilfred Bangirana a.k.a Bangi. Surrounded by his family, Bangi, 44, died at his home in Naalya, a Kampala suburb.
By Herbert Ssempogo
and Jude Katende
BARELY a weekly after the slaying of South African music legend Lucky Dube, Kampala residents were yesterday shocked by the death of popular DJ Wilfred Bangirana a.k.a Bangi. Surrounded by his family, Bangi, 44, died at his home in Naalya, a Kampala suburb.
Music lovers this afternoon gather for his requiem mass at Christ the King Church Kampala.
A family source said Bangi had breakfast in the morning but developed difficulty in breathing and was taken to his bedroom, where he passed away moments later.
Bangi, a disc jockey and radio presenter, famed for his ‘oldies’ music, was recently admitted to Mulago Hospital following a stroke.
His colleague at Sanyu FM, Angela Kalule, who presents Intimate Connection, broke the news of Bangi’s demise to listeners close to midday.
Amid sobs, another colleague Crystal Newman, with whom they have been presenting the Evening Drive, described Bangi as energetic and hardworking. “He has been a true friend,†she said on phone.
Station boss Besty Mugamba expressed shock at the death of his employee who has also been hosting Golden Oldies, a music programme on WBS television.
“He will be dearly missed. It is very sad and a blow to all of us,†she said.
Bangi’s voice has graced various FM stations and discotheques in Kampala. His programme on Sanyu FM, Wind Down Zone, yesterday played automated music in his honour.
Bangi was born in 1963. He attended Kitante Primary School in Kampala, Ntare School in Mbarara, Namasagali College in Kamuli and Makerere University Kampala, where he got a Bachelor of Law degree.
Survived by a nine-year-old daughter and an adopted son, Bangi will be buried on Wednesday in Bushenyi.
and Jude Katende
BARELY a weekly after the slaying of South African music legend Lucky Dube, Kampala residents were yesterday shocked by the death of popular DJ Wilfred Bangirana a.k.a Bangi. Surrounded by his family, Bangi, 44, died at his home in Naalya, a Kampala suburb.
Music lovers this afternoon gather for his requiem mass at Christ the King Church Kampala.
A family source said Bangi had breakfast in the morning but developed difficulty in breathing and was taken to his bedroom, where he passed away moments later.
Bangi, a disc jockey and radio presenter, famed for his ‘oldies’ music, was recently admitted to Mulago Hospital following a stroke.
His colleague at Sanyu FM, Angela Kalule, who presents Intimate Connection, broke the news of Bangi’s demise to listeners close to midday.
Amid sobs, another colleague Crystal Newman, with whom they have been presenting the Evening Drive, described Bangi as energetic and hardworking. “He has been a true friend,†she said on phone.
Station boss Besty Mugamba expressed shock at the death of his employee who has also been hosting Golden Oldies, a music programme on WBS television.
“He will be dearly missed. It is very sad and a blow to all of us,†she said.
Bangi’s voice has graced various FM stations and discotheques in Kampala. His programme on Sanyu FM, Wind Down Zone, yesterday played automated music in his honour.
Bangi was born in 1963. He attended Kitante Primary School in Kampala, Ntare School in Mbarara, Namasagali College in Kamuli and Makerere University Kampala, where he got a Bachelor of Law degree.
Survived by a nine-year-old daughter and an adopted son, Bangi will be buried on Wednesday in Bushenyi.