78 qualify for Coca-Cola Rated Next nationals

By Caroline Ariba

CLOSE to 3000 people turned up for the just concluded Coca-Cola Rated Next, Sing It auditions. This was after a two month regional search across the country for those harboring a singing talent. 

First was Arua, where 3 people were chosen, next was Lira that had 2 people chosen. When done with the North and West Nile, the crew was off to the western part of the country.

The western town of Fortportal was the first stop and here, nearly 200 auditioned, and 7 made it through. The next weekend, the crew was in Mbarara and despite the rain, the auditions went on until 6 made it to Kampala. 

Once the west was done, the crew came to Kampala where nearly 2000 people showed up for the auditions that took 3 days.

In the end, 30 made it through, in the most competitive of regions whereof the judges were not generous with second chances. In Kampala, Judges Siima Sabiti, Ken Daniels Kayongo and Esther Nabaasa had long days with auditions starting as early as 7am and ending in the night. 

But once the Capital city was done, the crew took to the highway, all the way to the East, with Mbale as the first stop.

Here, over 150 people turned up for the auditions and 14 impressed at least two of the three judges to make it to the national level. 

The last stop was therefore Jinja, the district that is home to the great River Nile. Over 200 auditioned, but only 16 made it to the nationals after impressing the judges not once but twice.

Those that made it to the national level, will be battling for a spot in the top ten come this June. Note that shs50million, a one year recording deal and an ipad will be what the winner takes home. 

Coca-Cola rated next sing it, a partnership between Urban TV and Coca-Cola is now in its third season. Catch episodes of the dramatic auditions now running on Urban and Bukedde TVs at 7pm.