Would you enter the Big Brother house?
Jul 17, 2003
Four women and six men have now stayed in the Big Brother Africa House for almost three months. They have become household names in millions of homes across Africa. But who would go into the house?
Four women and six men have now stayed in the Big Brother Africa House for almost three months. They have become household names in millions of homes across Africa. But who would go into the house?
Weekend Vision's Kalungi Kabuye and Dennis Jjuuko went around town and asked a cross-section of people what they think about the house, if they would shower naked, if they would have (or fake having) sex, and what they think about the house-mates.
Tendo kagwa, video coverage businessman, Gaetano’s brother
I do not think I would have gone into the house. I do not enjoy the spotlight that comes with it. There are even people who are always pointing fingers at you just because you are Gaetano’s brother.
I do video coverage but I do not wish to be on TV. If I were to go, it would have been for money in advertising and then the contacts.
Showering naked is how we do it and that is how it is supposed to be done — the natural way of doing it. And you can’t be all that clean if you are to spend 106 days in the house showering with clothes on.
I would not have sex just to win. And Uganda is a very closed society. You have a Jajja here and a mother there. But Gaetano is different from me. He has been to almost all corners of the world. For me I was brought up here. I am a typical Ugandan and Gae is not. He is very exposed.
Right now the house is very interesting because they are many. When tired of watching Cherise, the camera will zoom to somebody else.
Alex was quite good at the beginning but now he has lost it. He is no longer interesting. Mwisho is not bad.
Isaac Gava, Chairman, Nkrumah Hall
I do not think I would have gone for Big Brother. My vision right now is completing my law degree, LDC and then my masters. I want to accomplish them while my parents are still capable of sponsoring me. The sh200m I can make in one single case.
Showering naked would have been a very big problem. My body is not for the millions of viewers, it is for my girlfriend alone. I would only shower in my swimsuit.
Kissing and having sex in there is completely out because I’m in love with somebody else.
My favourite house-mate is Gae of course. He used to stay next door to me in Lugard Block and we are in the same class. He once helped me pass a course-work. The Gae on TV is the Gae I know. He is not acting.
Jose chameleon, Singer
For fame, money and my music, I would go into the house. I would shower naked, there is no problem with that. I have never taken a shower with clothes on at home, why should I cover myself in the house? And by the way what Big Brother needs is the real you not the house-mate who is not free.
About sex...ha ha. To be honest, sex is a natural thing. Again it is the real you. What has made Gaetano popular is because he has the natural appeal. I would not do it for money of course but if that's what my conscience tells me, then I would not have problems with it.
The longest time I have watched Big Brother Africa is one hour and it was last Sunday, but it must be a good game because it has made Gaetano such a big star. He will be bigger than us singers here in Uganda when he comes back.
My only prayer for him is to play the whole showbiz thing properly because there might be people who might want to use him and bring him down. But anyway, I think his next home is Hollywood not Uganda.
Belinda Mutebi, Sanyu FM presenter
The house-mates may not be crazy people, but the show definitely is. I think it is designed to drive the house-mates crazy, and when they get out I think they all go and see shrinks.
All that attention 24 hours a day, it would drive anybody crazy. And you are locked up like in a box, with no news, no papers, no contact with home or people you know: How could you leave the house sane? And you haven’t seen your boyfriend for all that time — three months — that’s really crazy!
No, I wouldn’t go into the house because I don’t know how to play games, especially for money. But if I were to go in there, I would have no problem showering naked. Hey, I know there are cameras in there and people watching, but in real life when we shower, God is watching too, isn’t He?
Maggie Lokowe, Presenter, CBS FM
I would not take part in a show like BB because much as am an extrovert, it would be hard for me to be patient with all the different characters in the house, say when Gae and Abby ‘bin’ the rest of the room-mates for obviously selfish reasons (a moment of passion).
I would be very conservative with my nakedness: I’m not exactly a model size, so I’m conscious about my weight. Yes I would shower naked, but would make sure it is during the ‘off peak’ hours. Would I make love in the house?
No way! It’s against my conscience, my mother’s advice and definitely my Christian faith. I actually do not believe in casual sex. About the house-mates, Cherise is very much African and herself, same to Mwisho, the rest are all putting up cosmetic appearances.
Romeo akiiki, Singer, KADS Band
I would shower completely naked. I do not see any problem whatsoever with that. I would not care about it. Showering naked is the way it is done worldwide.
About sex I am not sure. I would not kiss somebody out of the blue. I have to be attracted to somebody. I am not sure whether I would or I would not. I think I would not. So many things would have to change for it to happen.
I would however, keep on stirring up some action. I would try to balance between the viewers and the house-mates. You do not have to amuse them and you do not have to annoy them. You have to do it very cleverly.
It is a very complicated game. It all depends on the situations. You do not have to plan. It is all about character and that is where the X-factor comes in. Gae is himself. He has a playboy character and it is seen the way he walks, talks and in everything.
DJ Mitch of Sanyu FM
For fame, and for the money, I would go into the house. Look at Gaetano: He has got an international and national name. If he finishes his degree, he can get any job he wants.
You never know, MTN could make him a PRO, Bell Lager would love to him to be associated with their brand and so many others. Personally, I would love such big deals.
If you are to eat a frog, you go for a fat one. In other words, I would have showered completely naked.
The sex issue is very complicated. It does not just come for me. It comes with a lot of love. I would need excessive libido to be able to have sex in that house. I do not think I would have fallen in love by now.
But to win the sh200m needs one to be his natural self. That is the rule. I would not pretend. I think humour is part of my life. So my jokes would have helped me win the money.
Right, now there are only two interesting people in the house, Gae and Sammi. The rest are not natural.
Eddie Mugulusi, Nile Breweries Marketing Manager
If it is the condition then I would shower naked but if there is an alternative then I would shower with my boxer on. This is simply because I have a child at home.
Having sex for those dollars would make me look like a prostitute. Sex is not just to enjoy. There should be some strong feelings attached to it. Then my fiancée would not have liked it. I would not love to lose her. There are so many other things you can do to win the money.
Robert Segawa, Popular MC, singer
I would go into the house for the money, not for fame, that I would get elsewhere.
I would have very big problems with showering naked because I cannot imagine my child seeing me naked. But I think cameras are stationed somewhere so I would face the side where they are not focusing. For sure, I would somehow hide.
Sex? Oh no. Kissing is fine. You know I come from a very strong Christian background, so having sex in the house is out. The house-mates are easy to be with. The only person I would fall out with is Bayo. Maybe he is acting. Maybe because I am scared of huge people like him. I fear huge people, maybe because of my size.
Christine Mawadri, Capital FM DJ
Basically the only reason to be in the house is to win the money. I am just honest. Yeah. I would shower completely naked. You know why? It is because it is very hygienic. My bath time is like a ritual to my body.
The sex question is a very difficult one. If it is for the sh200m, then I would not do it. If I like the person and he likes me and he is bold enough to do it, why not? But not for the cash. Money could only come in as a bonus. I think Gae and Abby like each other. I do not think they are doing it just for winning the money.
The house-mates are on guard right now. If I were there, I would be more like Tapuwa. Her character is okay but she has not really blown it up. She is a little bit timid. So I would totally blow it up and remain in the house.
In the house, Alex is a disgrace to mankind. How can he stand there and abuse a woman? Stefan and Alex should get out. I think both of them are gay. Sammi is a disgrace, DJs do not behave like that. Abby is messed up.
She is losing the focus of the game at a very fast rate. Tapuwa is the most intelligent while Bayo is himself. I love him. Gae is very sharp. He knows how to play the game.
irene Kulabako, actress, talk-show host
No, I definitely would not go into the Big Brother House. That is not me. I’m on TV yes, and I’ve been on stage as an actor, but this different. Giving up my privacy is something I cannot possibly do.
No chance in the world that I’d let people watch me shower. I feel funny baring my behind for an injection at the doctors, so showering naked? No way! About sex? Don't even go there.
About the house-mates, I don’t think they are crazy, just very brave to do what they are doing. Gaetano and Abby are very good actors, they are just playing strategy, I don’t think their professed affections are real. I would probably vote out Tapuwa, she would not be missed if she went.
Phillip Besimire, MTN Public Relations Manager
If I hadn't watched this Big Brother Africa show, possibly I could have gone into the house. I watched Big Brother 2 and it was okay, but after watching this one, I don't think I would.
The way we are watching people like Alex, I wouldn’t want to be watched that way. So for this one, I’d rather just watch it than be watched.
The house-mates are not crazy people just because they are in the house. They are not thrill seekers either, but more of adventurers. The soft side of thrill, if you like. You just go in there and have a blast, then if you are evicted you take a hike. That’s it.
Well, I wouldn’t go in, so the question of showering naked before cameras or having sex does not arise.
Weekend Vision's Kalungi Kabuye and Dennis Jjuuko went around town and asked a cross-section of people what they think about the house, if they would shower naked, if they would have (or fake having) sex, and what they think about the house-mates.
Tendo kagwa, video coverage businessman, Gaetano’s brother
I do not think I would have gone into the house. I do not enjoy the spotlight that comes with it. There are even people who are always pointing fingers at you just because you are Gaetano’s brother.
I do video coverage but I do not wish to be on TV. If I were to go, it would have been for money in advertising and then the contacts.
Showering naked is how we do it and that is how it is supposed to be done — the natural way of doing it. And you can’t be all that clean if you are to spend 106 days in the house showering with clothes on.
I would not have sex just to win. And Uganda is a very closed society. You have a Jajja here and a mother there. But Gaetano is different from me. He has been to almost all corners of the world. For me I was brought up here. I am a typical Ugandan and Gae is not. He is very exposed.
Right now the house is very interesting because they are many. When tired of watching Cherise, the camera will zoom to somebody else.
Alex was quite good at the beginning but now he has lost it. He is no longer interesting. Mwisho is not bad.
Isaac Gava, Chairman, Nkrumah Hall
I do not think I would have gone for Big Brother. My vision right now is completing my law degree, LDC and then my masters. I want to accomplish them while my parents are still capable of sponsoring me. The sh200m I can make in one single case.
Showering naked would have been a very big problem. My body is not for the millions of viewers, it is for my girlfriend alone. I would only shower in my swimsuit.
Kissing and having sex in there is completely out because I’m in love with somebody else.
My favourite house-mate is Gae of course. He used to stay next door to me in Lugard Block and we are in the same class. He once helped me pass a course-work. The Gae on TV is the Gae I know. He is not acting.
Jose chameleon, Singer
For fame, money and my music, I would go into the house. I would shower naked, there is no problem with that. I have never taken a shower with clothes on at home, why should I cover myself in the house? And by the way what Big Brother needs is the real you not the house-mate who is not free.
About sex...ha ha. To be honest, sex is a natural thing. Again it is the real you. What has made Gaetano popular is because he has the natural appeal. I would not do it for money of course but if that's what my conscience tells me, then I would not have problems with it.
The longest time I have watched Big Brother Africa is one hour and it was last Sunday, but it must be a good game because it has made Gaetano such a big star. He will be bigger than us singers here in Uganda when he comes back.
My only prayer for him is to play the whole showbiz thing properly because there might be people who might want to use him and bring him down. But anyway, I think his next home is Hollywood not Uganda.
Belinda Mutebi, Sanyu FM presenter
The house-mates may not be crazy people, but the show definitely is. I think it is designed to drive the house-mates crazy, and when they get out I think they all go and see shrinks.
All that attention 24 hours a day, it would drive anybody crazy. And you are locked up like in a box, with no news, no papers, no contact with home or people you know: How could you leave the house sane? And you haven’t seen your boyfriend for all that time — three months — that’s really crazy!
No, I wouldn’t go into the house because I don’t know how to play games, especially for money. But if I were to go in there, I would have no problem showering naked. Hey, I know there are cameras in there and people watching, but in real life when we shower, God is watching too, isn’t He?
Maggie Lokowe, Presenter, CBS FM
I would not take part in a show like BB because much as am an extrovert, it would be hard for me to be patient with all the different characters in the house, say when Gae and Abby ‘bin’ the rest of the room-mates for obviously selfish reasons (a moment of passion).
I would be very conservative with my nakedness: I’m not exactly a model size, so I’m conscious about my weight. Yes I would shower naked, but would make sure it is during the ‘off peak’ hours. Would I make love in the house?
No way! It’s against my conscience, my mother’s advice and definitely my Christian faith. I actually do not believe in casual sex. About the house-mates, Cherise is very much African and herself, same to Mwisho, the rest are all putting up cosmetic appearances.
Romeo akiiki, Singer, KADS Band
I would shower completely naked. I do not see any problem whatsoever with that. I would not care about it. Showering naked is the way it is done worldwide.
About sex I am not sure. I would not kiss somebody out of the blue. I have to be attracted to somebody. I am not sure whether I would or I would not. I think I would not. So many things would have to change for it to happen.
I would however, keep on stirring up some action. I would try to balance between the viewers and the house-mates. You do not have to amuse them and you do not have to annoy them. You have to do it very cleverly.
It is a very complicated game. It all depends on the situations. You do not have to plan. It is all about character and that is where the X-factor comes in. Gae is himself. He has a playboy character and it is seen the way he walks, talks and in everything.
DJ Mitch of Sanyu FM
For fame, and for the money, I would go into the house. Look at Gaetano: He has got an international and national name. If he finishes his degree, he can get any job he wants.
You never know, MTN could make him a PRO, Bell Lager would love to him to be associated with their brand and so many others. Personally, I would love such big deals.
If you are to eat a frog, you go for a fat one. In other words, I would have showered completely naked.
The sex issue is very complicated. It does not just come for me. It comes with a lot of love. I would need excessive libido to be able to have sex in that house. I do not think I would have fallen in love by now.
But to win the sh200m needs one to be his natural self. That is the rule. I would not pretend. I think humour is part of my life. So my jokes would have helped me win the money.
Right, now there are only two interesting people in the house, Gae and Sammi. The rest are not natural.
Eddie Mugulusi, Nile Breweries Marketing Manager
If it is the condition then I would shower naked but if there is an alternative then I would shower with my boxer on. This is simply because I have a child at home.
Having sex for those dollars would make me look like a prostitute. Sex is not just to enjoy. There should be some strong feelings attached to it. Then my fiancée would not have liked it. I would not love to lose her. There are so many other things you can do to win the money.
Robert Segawa, Popular MC, singer
I would go into the house for the money, not for fame, that I would get elsewhere.
I would have very big problems with showering naked because I cannot imagine my child seeing me naked. But I think cameras are stationed somewhere so I would face the side where they are not focusing. For sure, I would somehow hide.
Sex? Oh no. Kissing is fine. You know I come from a very strong Christian background, so having sex in the house is out. The house-mates are easy to be with. The only person I would fall out with is Bayo. Maybe he is acting. Maybe because I am scared of huge people like him. I fear huge people, maybe because of my size.
Christine Mawadri, Capital FM DJ
Basically the only reason to be in the house is to win the money. I am just honest. Yeah. I would shower completely naked. You know why? It is because it is very hygienic. My bath time is like a ritual to my body.
The sex question is a very difficult one. If it is for the sh200m, then I would not do it. If I like the person and he likes me and he is bold enough to do it, why not? But not for the cash. Money could only come in as a bonus. I think Gae and Abby like each other. I do not think they are doing it just for winning the money.
The house-mates are on guard right now. If I were there, I would be more like Tapuwa. Her character is okay but she has not really blown it up. She is a little bit timid. So I would totally blow it up and remain in the house.
In the house, Alex is a disgrace to mankind. How can he stand there and abuse a woman? Stefan and Alex should get out. I think both of them are gay. Sammi is a disgrace, DJs do not behave like that. Abby is messed up.
She is losing the focus of the game at a very fast rate. Tapuwa is the most intelligent while Bayo is himself. I love him. Gae is very sharp. He knows how to play the game.
irene Kulabako, actress, talk-show host
No, I definitely would not go into the Big Brother House. That is not me. I’m on TV yes, and I’ve been on stage as an actor, but this different. Giving up my privacy is something I cannot possibly do.
No chance in the world that I’d let people watch me shower. I feel funny baring my behind for an injection at the doctors, so showering naked? No way! About sex? Don't even go there.
About the house-mates, I don’t think they are crazy, just very brave to do what they are doing. Gaetano and Abby are very good actors, they are just playing strategy, I don’t think their professed affections are real. I would probably vote out Tapuwa, she would not be missed if she went.
Phillip Besimire, MTN Public Relations Manager
If I hadn't watched this Big Brother Africa show, possibly I could have gone into the house. I watched Big Brother 2 and it was okay, but after watching this one, I don't think I would.
The way we are watching people like Alex, I wouldn’t want to be watched that way. So for this one, I’d rather just watch it than be watched.
The house-mates are not crazy people just because they are in the house. They are not thrill seekers either, but more of adventurers. The soft side of thrill, if you like. You just go in there and have a blast, then if you are evicted you take a hike. That’s it.
Well, I wouldn’t go in, so the question of showering naked before cameras or having sex does not arise.