Spokesmen speak out on their business
Feb 19, 2009
AT a kwanjula, the two spokesmen who act as emissaries, usually engage in a friendly war of words, spiced up with rib-breaking riddles and proverbs. The intention is to entertain and educate guests on the cultural norms and traditions.
AT a kwanjula, the two spokesmen who act as emissaries, usually engage in a friendly war of words, spiced up with rib-breaking riddles and proverbs. The intention is to entertain and educate guests on the cultural norms and traditions.
But over the years spokesmen (bogezi) have commercialized their role. Some of them even have kwanjula accessories like mats, baskets and tents for hire. Jude Katende spoke to prominent spokesmen:
Stephen Kimera Kalanzi
He has been a mwogezi for nine years. Kalanzi’s fee depends on his clients’ approach. He has a shop in Kikuubo, Kampala and deals in general merchandise. From his work, he has made friends. Kalanzi has also bought a plot of land and constructed a house.
Ssewannonda Kasozi, 45
He is one of the most eloquent bogezi with 26 years of experience. He could have an advantage over some of the older bogezi because he studied and taught Luganda and Buganda culture.
He began the business in 1985 when he was a student at Aga Khan. Kasozi says he is more interested in creating a bond with people than charging his clients.
However, Kasozi recently set his fee between sh500,000 and sh1m to ward off some people. He says he is tired of his mwogezi duties and wants to quit, so by charging a high fee, he expects to put off some people.
He wants to concentrate on the Kabaka’s work. Kasozi educates people about culture on CBS FM’s Entanda programme. A former teacher at Bishop’s SS, Kasozi also runs a company called Luganda Mwekise Function Hire Services and Event Management.
He has trained several bogezi, including members of the Agaliwamu Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters, an organization for bogezi. Kasozi has attempted to retire from the trade a number of times, but has failed. “Other spokesmen won’t learn if we don’t leave the stage,†he notes.
Michael Kyeyune, 19
He is the youngest spokesman. He started the trade in 2007 after school. He is a member of the Buganda Ceremonial Services and Marriage Counsellors Association.
His father was once the chairman of the association. Kyeyune was inspired by his father because he would accompany him to kwanjulas. Kyeyune’s disappointment is that some people despise him, saying he is young and inexperienced.
Although he is new in the trade, Kyeyune was the first mwogezi to feature on TV kwanjula shows. He owns Mabtec Computer Solutions, a firm that repairs computers and sells computer accessories. His fee is negotiable.
Jafari Matovu, 38
He has spent about a decade in the trade. Matovu was inspired by Abdu Lwanga. Friends and the Agaliwano Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters get him clients.
He is the Secretary of the Private Emptiers Association. From the business, he has expanded his network of friends and accumulated assets. Matovu’s services are negotiable.
Christopher Bwete, 50
He started the business in 1982 and has never looked back. Bwete has made many friends and been able to educate his children.
He says he trained himself, but his confidence was built when he worked as former Vice-President Samson Kisekka’s driver and bodyguard.
Bwete says the business requires a knowledgeable person, but some new in the business have tarnished the image of bogezi.
He says some of them even allow the girl’s ssengas (paternal aunts) to greet the guests, while carrying firewood!
Bwete does not support the idea of the bride-to-be’s mother watching the kwanjula proceedings from the house. “She should attend but her presence shouldn’t be disclosed,†he says.
Bwete says his being multi-lingual has won him popularity and got him more business. He can speak Runyoro, Rukiiga, Rutoro, Runyankole, Lusoga, Lugisu, Swahili, English and Ateso.
His fee is negotiable, but mainly depends on how his clients approach him and the distance to the venue.
Lawrence Owori, 46
Owori, a Mudama, is perhaps one of the few non-Baganda who are fluent in Luganda and conversant with the Buganda cultural proverbs and figures of speech.
He has been in the trade for 23 years. Owori has been able to educate his children and buy land. He attends cultural workshops to acquire more knowledge on various cultures.
Owori belongs to Balandizakilose Speakers and Ceremonial Association, which he founded. “It stretches to Kenya, the UK and US.
Some clients abroad send their photos to him to use at their kwanjulas when they can’t make it to the function,†he explains. His organization also has dancers and tents for hire.
His fee ranges from sh300,000 to sh700,000 and charges according to one’s social standing.
James Lusambu Ndiwalana, 39
He has spent 10 years in the trade. From the trade, Ndiwalana has educated his children and provided for them. He says honesty is the key to his success.
Last year, Ndiwalana presided over Kyambogo University Police boss, Simeo Nsubuga’s function and quotes it everytime. His fee is negotiatable. Ndiwalana deals in second- hand clothes at St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market.
Charles Musoke Sempebwa, 41
He has spent eight years in the trade. Sempebwa was inspired by Elly Mutebi, also a mwogezi. Sempebwa says from the trade, he has educated his children.
His fee is negotiable and sometimes his services are free. He also works in the logistics department at International Republican Institute, a political NGO.
Omulangira Ssuuna Kinejulira, 54
For the 25 years that Kinejulira has worked as a mwogezi, he has been able to appreciate and understand his culture more. Kinejulira says the money he makes from being a spokesman has improved his livelihood and popularity.
Together with his colleagues Wamala Matovu and Silver, they started the Buganda Certificate Scheme. Ssuuna says when many learnt that the bogezi were making money, they swarmed the trade like bees to a hive.
Also a presenter on Kaboozi Kubiiri FM, Ssuua does not want to be part of any bogezi association, citing disorganization among some of them. His fee is negotiable.
Wamala Matovu Batyamwambazi, 50
He has been 15 years in the business, but he is more interested in working for the Kabaka. Matovu dwells more on educating and counselling couples about HIV/AIDS.
Matovu sees newcomers as friends who have helped ease the work pressure. He is a computer technician and runs Nankabe Electro Cool Systems. Matovu has trained many bogezi.
Fred Nkata, 35
He has been a mwogezi for nine years. He is also a boda-boda rider in Maganjo. Nkata says his fee is negotiable.
Elly Mutebi, 41
He has spent 11 years in the trade. Mutebi was inspired by his church where he was the MC and secretary. His price is negotiable. He is the chairman of Agaliwano Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters.
Saad Musoke Junju, 30
He was inspired by Sheikh Abbas. His fee depends on distance and the clients’ approach. He has been a mwogezi for nine years.
But over the years spokesmen (bogezi) have commercialized their role. Some of them even have kwanjula accessories like mats, baskets and tents for hire. Jude Katende spoke to prominent spokesmen:
Stephen Kimera Kalanzi
He has been a mwogezi for nine years. Kalanzi’s fee depends on his clients’ approach. He has a shop in Kikuubo, Kampala and deals in general merchandise. From his work, he has made friends. Kalanzi has also bought a plot of land and constructed a house.
Ssewannonda Kasozi, 45
He is one of the most eloquent bogezi with 26 years of experience. He could have an advantage over some of the older bogezi because he studied and taught Luganda and Buganda culture.
He began the business in 1985 when he was a student at Aga Khan. Kasozi says he is more interested in creating a bond with people than charging his clients.
However, Kasozi recently set his fee between sh500,000 and sh1m to ward off some people. He says he is tired of his mwogezi duties and wants to quit, so by charging a high fee, he expects to put off some people.
He wants to concentrate on the Kabaka’s work. Kasozi educates people about culture on CBS FM’s Entanda programme. A former teacher at Bishop’s SS, Kasozi also runs a company called Luganda Mwekise Function Hire Services and Event Management.
He has trained several bogezi, including members of the Agaliwamu Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters, an organization for bogezi. Kasozi has attempted to retire from the trade a number of times, but has failed. “Other spokesmen won’t learn if we don’t leave the stage,†he notes.
Michael Kyeyune, 19
He is the youngest spokesman. He started the trade in 2007 after school. He is a member of the Buganda Ceremonial Services and Marriage Counsellors Association.
His father was once the chairman of the association. Kyeyune was inspired by his father because he would accompany him to kwanjulas. Kyeyune’s disappointment is that some people despise him, saying he is young and inexperienced.
Although he is new in the trade, Kyeyune was the first mwogezi to feature on TV kwanjula shows. He owns Mabtec Computer Solutions, a firm that repairs computers and sells computer accessories. His fee is negotiable.
Jafari Matovu, 38
He has spent about a decade in the trade. Matovu was inspired by Abdu Lwanga. Friends and the Agaliwano Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters get him clients.
He is the Secretary of the Private Emptiers Association. From the business, he has expanded his network of friends and accumulated assets. Matovu’s services are negotiable.
Christopher Bwete, 50
He started the business in 1982 and has never looked back. Bwete has made many friends and been able to educate his children.
He says he trained himself, but his confidence was built when he worked as former Vice-President Samson Kisekka’s driver and bodyguard.
Bwete says the business requires a knowledgeable person, but some new in the business have tarnished the image of bogezi.
He says some of them even allow the girl’s ssengas (paternal aunts) to greet the guests, while carrying firewood!
Bwete does not support the idea of the bride-to-be’s mother watching the kwanjula proceedings from the house. “She should attend but her presence shouldn’t be disclosed,†he says.
Bwete says his being multi-lingual has won him popularity and got him more business. He can speak Runyoro, Rukiiga, Rutoro, Runyankole, Lusoga, Lugisu, Swahili, English and Ateso.
His fee is negotiable, but mainly depends on how his clients approach him and the distance to the venue.
Lawrence Owori, 46
Owori, a Mudama, is perhaps one of the few non-Baganda who are fluent in Luganda and conversant with the Buganda cultural proverbs and figures of speech.
He has been in the trade for 23 years. Owori has been able to educate his children and buy land. He attends cultural workshops to acquire more knowledge on various cultures.
Owori belongs to Balandizakilose Speakers and Ceremonial Association, which he founded. “It stretches to Kenya, the UK and US.
Some clients abroad send their photos to him to use at their kwanjulas when they can’t make it to the function,†he explains. His organization also has dancers and tents for hire.
His fee ranges from sh300,000 to sh700,000 and charges according to one’s social standing.
James Lusambu Ndiwalana, 39
He has spent 10 years in the trade. From the trade, Ndiwalana has educated his children and provided for them. He says honesty is the key to his success.
Last year, Ndiwalana presided over Kyambogo University Police boss, Simeo Nsubuga’s function and quotes it everytime. His fee is negotiatable. Ndiwalana deals in second- hand clothes at St. Balikuddembe (Owino) Market.
Charles Musoke Sempebwa, 41
He has spent eight years in the trade. Sempebwa was inspired by Elly Mutebi, also a mwogezi. Sempebwa says from the trade, he has educated his children.
His fee is negotiable and sometimes his services are free. He also works in the logistics department at International Republican Institute, a political NGO.
Omulangira Ssuuna Kinejulira, 54
For the 25 years that Kinejulira has worked as a mwogezi, he has been able to appreciate and understand his culture more. Kinejulira says the money he makes from being a spokesman has improved his livelihood and popularity.
Together with his colleagues Wamala Matovu and Silver, they started the Buganda Certificate Scheme. Ssuuna says when many learnt that the bogezi were making money, they swarmed the trade like bees to a hive.
Also a presenter on Kaboozi Kubiiri FM, Ssuua does not want to be part of any bogezi association, citing disorganization among some of them. His fee is negotiable.
Wamala Matovu Batyamwambazi, 50
He has been 15 years in the business, but he is more interested in working for the Kabaka. Matovu dwells more on educating and counselling couples about HIV/AIDS.
Matovu sees newcomers as friends who have helped ease the work pressure. He is a computer technician and runs Nankabe Electro Cool Systems. Matovu has trained many bogezi.
Fred Nkata, 35
He has been a mwogezi for nine years. He is also a boda-boda rider in Maganjo. Nkata says his fee is negotiable.
Elly Mutebi, 41
He has spent 11 years in the trade. Mutebi was inspired by his church where he was the MC and secretary. His price is negotiable. He is the chairman of Agaliwano Ceremonial Services and Cultural Promoters.
Saad Musoke Junju, 30
He was inspired by Sheikh Abbas. His fee depends on distance and the clients’ approach. He has been a mwogezi for nine years.