Pidson Kareire and Sebidde Kiryowa
7 July 2009
Kampala — Radio Simba's Ekiggunda Ky'omwaka 2009, proved that local music can rock better when performed live. The artistes who performed last Sunday at Nakivubo Stadium did better than those who sang over CDs.
The grand event, which also doubled as the radio's 11th anniversary celebrations, attracted about 40,000 music enthusiasts from all over the country. They started queuing to enter the stadium at 8:00am and never stopped until past 11:00pm!
The venue was jam-packed from the pitch, kirusia (general seating) to the pavilion stands. There was only legroom. As usual, food vendors, hawkers of every imaginable item and makeshift photo studios were out to make a quick buck as were pick pockets and taxi drivers.
The show started at midday when a nine-year-old girl, Faith Babirye of Omega Healing Centre, Namasuba, hit the stage with her gospel songs. Ragga Dee came next with five dancers three of whom were female. But one of the females fainted on stage, causing panic. She was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
A host of singers who included the South African-based Ugandan singer Zari Hussein followed. Zari, who wore a very skimpy dress, sent hearts pacing with a more than generous show of her thighs.
However, the show fell into a lull with subsequent singers doing little less than pass time until 6:00pm when Bobi Wine's Fire Base Crew hit the stage. He performed for an hour with his two sons. However, he was booed by the crowd when during his performance of Carolina, his latest song, he disrespected Zuena, Bebe Cool's estranged wife.
Radio and Weasel, thrilled fans with their string of hits, including their hottest song, Bread & Butter. Bebe Cool, however, was clearly the king of the stage, stirring the crowd with his latest song, Agenze, among others.
Eagles Production Band this time came on stage as a group. After performing their collective anthem Twakutegedde, each member performed separately with the rest of the band lending support as back-up dancers and singers.
After Jose Chameleone's performance late at night, some fans left but the party continued and the last drunken revellers staggered home early Monday morning.
As usual, Chameleone threw himself into the crowd a couple of times, but this time it was scary knowing he had broken heel bones.
Over 80 artistes performed at the MYN-sponsored event.
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