When the Kabaka was Uganda's top celeb

THE BEAT |

In September 2009, the City beat Magazine published Uganda's very first list of top celebrities. And the Kabala of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, made the top. And was featured on the cover, which led to quite a lively debate in the subsequent weeks.

Some did not like the idea that the Kabaka, sovereign of a nation that goes back more than 1000 years, would be included in what they termed a ‘popularity contest'. It was not proper, they argued, to put His Majesty in a list with ‘bakopi' (commoners).

Others were more interested in the picture that run on the cover of the magazine, where was it taken, they asked? The picture showed the Kabaka in a grey striped suit and a polo shirt, sunglasses on his forehead, arms crossed on his chest, and a big smile on his face.

"I have never seen the Kabaka so casual, and obviously having a great time," one wrote in a letter to the editor. "Did you arrange for a photoshoot with him?"

For the record, there was no photoshoot, but a New Vision photographer had taken the picture when the Kabaka was on a tour of his kingdom. We never did find out what the Kabaka thought of the whole thing, probably took it as just a bit of fun. But he never did appear on subsequent celebrity lists, not sure if it was a coincidence.

The search for this year's top celebrities is on, and nominations are open. All one has to do is to go the Facebook page of The Beat Uganda, and leave your nominations as a comment. Or you can send your votes to thebeat@newvision.co.ug before September 25^th, 2020.