Darius Mugisha & Abbey Rafsanjan Tatya
5 September 2008
column
Back in the day, we had posters of Shanks Vivid up on our walls, went to Sabrinas Pub and DV8 for his concerts and we also listened to him on CBS FM.
But those were the 90s and like other stars of those days including Titan Takuba and Rasta Rob, he left for UK at the peak of his career.
Fortunately Rasta Rob returned a few months ago. Last week we also bumped into Shanks Vivid at Bebe Cool's concert at Hotel Africana.
The One Kilometre singer revealed that he's been on and off the music scene for over 10 years but has written a couple of songs and is in the studio working on a new album.
Boney Katatumba's condominium strategy pays off
Don't be mistaken; Boney Katatumba is not about to run bankrupt, neither is he broke, but rather enjoying the results of his creativity.
Some months ago, Katatumba divided his Katatumba Suites into small units totalling to over 132, with each of them bearing a land title of its own. The Honorary Consul of Pakistan to Uganda described the venture as the condominium unit business, a new way of adding economic value to structures.
Well, not so many Ugandans seemed to understand this kind of business, but some foreigners did and it's really paid off for Katatumba.
Earlier last month, Katatumba sold off his Colville Street-located Katatumba Suites to Shumuk Group of companies.
However, he didnt sell the structure as one whole solid building, but rather as a condominium property containing over 100 plots.
A source close to the Pakistan Consul revealed that Katatumba was earlier estimated to earn up to $10m if he sold the building as condominium property, but ended up settling for up to $6m.
The source revealed that Katatumba is considering using the money to expand his Muyenga-based Hotel Diplomate into a five-star hotel, but he is also rejoining the aviation industry which is believed to have propelled him to the level of a tycoon during the 1980s.
Suudi in US freak accident
All is not well with US-based Promoter Suudi Lukwago. The chubby Suudi Entertainment International proprietor survived death by a whisker when he lost control of his car in Boston and rammed into a train.
According to a source close to the promoter, Suudi had spent a couple of days without resting as he was chasing after some "big deals" and the accident was entirely attributed to fatigue.
"We rushed him to hospital and he spent over eight hours in coma and he can't speak so well up to now. But at least his condition is better," the source said.
The revealation was comfirmed by Suudi Entertainment musician Henry Tigan, who said he had not spoken to his boss in three weeks.
"I tried to call his phone but someone always answered and told me, Suudi wasnt allowed to speak on phone before switching off," Tigan said. Tigan however told 24/7 that Suudi had called him and told him he would be okay by next week.
Chameleone - Daniella honeymoon was fruitful
Forget about the wacky and weird fashions at the annual Goat Races because they were never going to make our heads turn - we're used to that.
But, baby bumps were in plenty and it was living proof to reports that Ugandan women are among the most fertile in the world.
Artiste Jose Chameleone's wife Daniella was among the numerous women who had their bulging tummies on full display. A source at Leone Island confirmed to us that Daniella is pregnant but they didn't give us details.
Well, we knew it was coming though we didn't know when exactly but now we can confirm that the couple's honeymoon was quite fruitful. What we're not sure about is when exactly the stork will visit Chameleone and Daniella's home, otherwise we're already rehearsing nursery rhymes as we await the arrival of their second child.
Vegas snatches Nubian Lee's girl
If you thought the likes of former Miss Uganda Salma Nasanga, model Priscilla Ray and other Sylvia Owori models were the only girls entertaining visiting musicians, think twice.
A new breed of party animals is coming up and just like those mentioned above, they are into entertaining visiting stars.
The girls include Salma's younger sister Kumba Suleiman and her friends only identified as Anita, and Daphine who is said to be Fire Base Crew vocalist Nubian Lee's girlfiend. The girls took centre stage when they swarmed visiting Jamaican singer Mr Vegas during a VIP party organised for him at Club Rouge on Saturday.
The girls had wanted to sit in the booth reserved for the singer before he had even arrived but were barred by bouncers, but when Mr Vegas entered the club, they pleaded with Gen. Mega Dee who ordered the bouncers to let them into the booth.
In the booth, the girls hugged Mr Vegas tightly and each kept pushing themselves closer to the singer as they flirted with him like they had been friends for years.
A few minutes later, Vegas seemed to have gotten more attracted to Daphine. They kept whispering into each other's ears as they smiled.
After downing one too many glasses of liquor, Vegas danced cosily with Daphine before they were escorted out and they jumped into a waiting car and disappeared.
24/7 met Daphine's friends later in Ange Mystique and were overheard saying Daphine and Nubian Lee had disagreed the day before and that it was all good for their friend to have a good time with Mr Vegas.
More woes for Miss Uganda
The Miss Uganda organisers are still at war with last year's winner Monica Kansiime who says she was side-stepped and mistreated though they also think she didn't perform her duties accordingly; hence their refusal to give her $3,000 she was supposed to receive at the end of her reign. But that was just the beginning of organiser Solaya Zalwango's woes.
The main sponsors of the event, Uganda telecom pulled out of the event and the organisers MKM Limited are yet to clear a food bill standing at Shs16m - the meals were served by Kampala Serena Hotel at the finals held at the hotel last month. Uganda telecom says MKM should clear the bill and MKM also say Uganda telecom is supposed to do so, on grounds that the telecommunication company released "inadequate money" for organising the event.
"Uganda telecom only provided Shs50m for the finals yet they signed a one-year-rolling contract worth Shs120m," reads a statement from MKM. Meanwhile, casino tycoon Bob Kabonero is intent on buying the Miss Uganda franchise. MKM confirmed the Kabonero story but said they're not willing to sell. In fact, they said they are currently talking to different companies over a possible sponsorship deal.
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