Joseph Batte
9 August 2007
Kampala — One of Uganda's finest musicians, Mansur Akiiki Bulegeya, has died.
Mansur, one of the country's greatest saxophonists, together with Moses Matovu and Charles Sekyanzi, were the awesome trio that made up the Afrigo Band a punchy brass section.
Ten years ago, a six-foot-plus giant called Juma Saidi joined the band.
However, the ultimate testimony to their talent, most especially Mansur's, was when you caught Afrigo Band playing live on stage at Club Obligato or any other live gig.
His sax work on stage was amazing. His tenor was deep, powerful, strong and complimented very well with Matovu's sweet soprano or alto and Sekyanzi's trumpet.
While on stage, you would think they were made to play for each other. Their harmony was so tight.
The notes were very precise. It was pretty obvious they had been playing together for such a long time. Indeed, they had.
Mansur started his music career with the Uganda Police Force Brass Band.
Later, he joined high-riding Rwenzori Band that toured the US and Japan.
In 1970, a bright young footballer, Moses Matovu, who had seen Mansur sweep crowds off their feet with his sax playing, asked to be his student. Mansur willingly accepted.
When Matovu and a group of other young musician, Sekyanzi inclusive, broke away from the Cranes Band, they formed Africa Go Forward crew.
This was later shortened to Afrigo Band and Mansur joined them.
"I am the bandleader of Afrigo. But for all these years we have been together, he (Mansur) was the master. I was his student. I owe a lot to him," said Matovu, who was barely holding back the tears.
Mansur could play a wide range of instruments ranging from soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax and baritone sax, piccolo, flute and clarinet.
"I remember his days with Rwenzori Band. I used to sneak from Kings College Budo and go and watch him perform at Bat Valley alongside Fred Tebuseke, who is now based in Sweden," said Hope Mukasa, the proprietor of Sabrina Pub.
"There are only four accomplished saxophonists in this country; Moses Matovu, Tony Kalanzi and Charles Sekyanzi, who have now been joined by Isaiah Katumwa.
There is no doubt Mzee Mansur topped group. The only person who can come close to him is Matovu, his former student," Mukasa, a former bandmate of the late musician, Philly Lutaya, narrated.
"I knew this was coming a year ago when I learnt that he (Mansur) had cancer. I felt so bad at that time. However, I did not expect him to die so soon because even when he was sick, he asked me to send him students who wanted to learn how to play the saxophone."
"I sent many, but amazingly, most of them were lawyers. One of them is Sekatawa of Masembe Advocates situated on Diamond Trust building (in Kampala)," Mukasa added.
"What I admired about him was his courage. He knew he was dying, but instead of pitying himself, he took good care of his failing health. He was one of my daily customers who paid sh5,000 for lunch buffet at Sabrina's Pub."
Shaka Mayanja, reggae singer and producer, described Mansur as not only a sax icon, but a teacher and saxophone doctor.
"If your sax broke down, you would go to him with confidence that he would repair it."
"His only regret in life, he told me recently, was that throughout his life, he concentrated all his energies on Afro-pop music and never got the opportunity to do a classic jazz album," Mayanja said.
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