Ugandans Abroad (NEW YORK)— A diverse African immigrant crowd gathered in Central Park for energetic performances by Hugh Masekela, Freshlyground, and Sami last Sunday.

Somi, a talented Ugandan and Rwandan-American artist with band members in Central Park.

Somi, a Ugandan and Rwandan-American singer and songwriter, opened for the southern African performers.  Somi’s music has been described as New African Soul, she is also a jazz artist.

The lovely queen of African Jazz performed songs from her latest album “If The Rain Comes First,” which is one of the top records on Billboard’s world charts.

Ugandans from all over the New York metropolitan area came to see her, including Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, who recently served as Uganda’s permanent representative to the United Nations.  A group of Ugandans from Dallas, Texas, also attended.

The international crowd of diverse African immigrants and Americans enjoyed great performances in Central Park. Emma Pinkerton.

After Somi, Freshlyground took to the stage.  The band is truly pan-African, with its seven members hailing from Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.

The group recorded the 2010 World Cup Song “Waka Waka Africa” with Shakira, and is known for its indigenous, afropop, and jazz tunes.

The international crowd was electrified by Hugh Masekela, a Grammy-winning artist who also co-produced the Broadway musical Sarafina, and is known for songs like “Grazing In the Grass.”

The free pan-African concert was held at Central Park’s Rumsey Playfield, and organized by Summer Stage, the largest performing arts festival in New York City.  Summer Stage performances will continue until September 2nd.

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By Arao Ameny

Ugandans Abroad—

If you are an African living abroad, and you’re young, single, and living in New York City, you are probably looking for a date.  Maybe you want to date someone from a similar background as yourself.  Or you would like to meet someone from another country, race/ethnicity, or culture who at least appreciates the unique African cultural values you bring to the table.

New York is a great place to find an African date.

Vincent Nwachukwu, Nigerian-born New Yorker, and young business man is the brainchild of ‘Date My African Friend’.  Nwachukwu said he that started the unique project in 2010 and strives to bring singles, typically young professionals, together in a warm, welcoming environment to find a suitable mate. The event, which typically reflects a party-like atmosphere, caters to single men and women in their twenties.  Men are typically 24 and up, while women are 21 and up.

Vincent Nwachukwu, African dating guru and entrepreneur, is also a bachelor in New York.

The event features an icebreaker called “the number system”which matches individuals to one another anonymously, and allows guests to mingle with different people throughout the night. In a speed-dating-like form, men and women move around the room talking to each other until they make a connection.

In a conversation with Ugandans Abroad, Nwachukwu said the event was for “Africans and those who love Africans.”  He described the event as not only for Africans, but also a place where non-Africans who are interested in dating available men or women can connect.

“Anyone who is ready to meet one of our beautiful sisters or meet an available guy is also welcome,” he said.  “Everyone is welcome.”  The men and women hoping to find a good African date span the continent, from Cameroon to Nigeria and Kenya, as well as Americans looking for an African partner or friend.

One thing that led Nwachukwu to create the event is that he feels Africans abroad don’t date other Africans as much as you may except.  “I find that we don’t really date among ourselves,” he said.

He said there are other nationalities or cultures who want to date Africans, but don’t necessarily understand the cultural nuances or “dating norms” within African communities.

As a result, he decided to break that barrier by bringing individuals together and creating ‘Date My African Friend’ in a culturally welcoming environment that encourages diversity.

Single people looking for a good time in an African context abroad.

“I have Jewish friends and Italian friends that are always asking me, where can I find an African girl in this city [New York City] and they say our African women are beautiful but the don’t know how to talk to them because of cultural differences,” he said.

Nwachukwu said that he has observed Africans not dating outside of their culture or race to avoid being questioned by family or their own African communities where they reside.

“Others who don’t understand us may think we are closed off, but we [Africans] are not. You have to approach us. And sometimes, you like others [from a different culture, race or country] but you don’t want our parents to talk to you (or bother you) about dating a white person or a Nigerian or a South African,” Nwachukwu said.

“It’s a mental thing and so after so many times being asked that question of ‘where can I find an African girl or where do I meet an available guy,’ I decided to create a platform where Africans and non-Africans can come and mingle and date each other,” he said.

People of all nationalities seeking an African date.

Date My African Friend serves as a one-stop venue for singles in to meet, network and socialize.  And it also provides a safe, welcoming environment for individuals to bring their single friends who may be looking for a fellow African to date, or bring their non-African friends to find a suitable mate from the continent.

Nwachukwu, who likes to go by “Spyon Vincent,” says that the ever-present, thriving population of Africans in New York City, particularly young African professionals, is a great place to start the Date My African Friend project.

The entrepreneur plans to establish the project here in the city first before spreading out to other cities or locations in the Tri-State area.  He says that some people have embraced the concept, while others are still trying to get used to the idea.  “With consistency and visiblity, more people will start coming out,” he told Ugandans Abroad.

Date My African Friend also has a website that showcases single men and women in the New York metropolitan area looking to find a mate. Individuals may also be featured on the website as bachelor or bachelorette of the month, giving them more exposure.

Like any Africa-inspired event, music is key. Afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, hip-hop and R & B are played throughout the night.

What’s Next?

The Date My African Friend project is a testing ground for other things to come, Nwachukwu said. “I hope to build a social website, where single Africans can meet each other or non-Africans. You can connect with a person on the website and then meet the person at one of our events or vice versa.” He said that he doesn’t want it to be another typical online dating site but instead, wants to provide a platform to network.

Young professionals looking for an African sweetheart or friend.

The young businessman said that some of the short term goals for the uniquely African project is making sure that he publicizes his message and makes it clear and consistent with his brand—a brand that unapologetically embraces the diverse African cultures in New York City, without trying to water it down.

“I am proud of where we come from and I’m not going to be something we are not,” he said.

 

Dating Across Faiths In the African Diaspora

Nwachukwu also hopes that to connect singles from varying religions, a sensitive topic in African communities, especially when it comes to dating and marriage. He said his social event strives to encourage mutual respect and understanding among people.

“I want to have what I call ‘unique differences’ in our program, like having a Muslim dating a Christian and both of them respect each other’s beliefs,” Nwachukwu said. “The same thing with an African and a non-African,” he added.

Even if individuals don’t walk away meeting ‘that special someone,’ he at least wants them to walk way learning something new about another culture, fostering cultural understanding and mutual respect between Africans and non-Africans.

And what about dating non-Africans?

When Ugandans Abroad asked about the inevitable, awkward questions that may arise during dating situations between Africans and non-Africans, he said that he wants his guests to embrace curiosity, even if it may feel uncomfortable. “Many people don’t know about Africa or Africans in general. You may have to educate someone who asks if all Africans marry multiple wives,” he said laughingly.

Women having fun at the mixer.

He suggests being tactful instead of upset, hoping that curious individuals will walk away from the event more informed that not all African men take multiple wives, something that he says may be cultural for some but boils down to a personal choice, not necessarily a mandate.

Other than playing ‘match-maker’, other ventures that Nwachukwu is involved with include Spyon TV, a multicultural online television network that provides entertainment news from New York City and around the world.

Another project, AfroJam, which he started in 2007, showcases local African artists like musicians, singers or poets in the New York metropolitan area. The other side of AfroJam, the non-profit wing, which is being developed right now, will raise money for underprivileged kids in Africa who are interested in music. “Our main goal is to be able to help kids who want to buy a musical instrument or simply finance music classes,” he said.

For more information about ‘Date My African Friend,’ visit www.datemyafricanfriend.com or link up with ‘Spyon Vincent’ on facebook.

Arao Ameny is a Ugandan-born journalist based in New York.

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-Rabadaba Allegedly Stabs Goodlyfe Crew Member.  Police charged Lugaflow artist Rabadaba with stabbing a member of the Goodlyfe Crew, Tedious Buyego, in the stomach at a Kabalagala bar, according to reporting by the Daily Monitor.  Rabadaba is being held at the Kabalagala Police Station, while Buyego is in critical condition at Nsambya Hospital.

Rabadaba faces charges of attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a Goodlyfe Member, Tedious Buyego.

Those convicted of attempted murder can face a life sentence in Uganda.  Rabadaba’s real name is Faizal Sseguya, and before going solo, he was part of a group called Spontaneous, with Gatimo and Paragon.

The Goodlyfe Crew did the song “Ability” with Rabadaba, during which they had a falling out, Uganda Online has reported.  Rabadaba is also known for dancehall songs like Bwekiri and Silubala.

-In our neighbor Kenya, Suzanna Owiyo launched her third album “Roots” in Nairobi on Wednesday after traveling abroad for a long period, the Daily Nation reported.  Before the album launch in Kenya, she traveled with Senegalese legend Youssou N’Dour, performing songs from “Roots” in eleven different European countries.  The last song she released in Kenya was in 2006, five years ago.

“I know that it was a  long time, but I have spent that much preparing for this album,” she told the Daily Nation.

Owiyo has a big heart and is active with the Divas of the Nile Foundation, where she works with Mercy Myra, Princess Julie, and Achieng Abura to support needy girls.

Her new songs focus on violence against women, alcohol abuse, and corruption.

Suzanne Owiyo launched her new album "Roots" in Nairobi last Wednesday.

Owiyo was born near Kisumu and introduced to music by her grandfather, according to recollections in her biography.  She got her professional start as a back-up singer for Sally Oyugi, joined a group called Bora Bora sound, and then returned to Kisumu to sing.

Owiyo then began taking guitar instruction in Nairobi, and launched her first album in 2002, which was well-acclaimed by the Kora Music Awards.

Today, her music blends traditional western Kenyan music with more modern beats.  She loves to use instruments like the nyatiti and the orutu in her music.

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KAMPALA(Ugandans Abroad)—

After surviving a year of tragedy, Bebe Cool scored Artist of the Year at the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards, a show that honors and the brightest music stars in East Africa.  Navio, Jamal, Pastor Wilson Bugembe, Judith Babirye , and other major artists were also recognized for their musical contributions in the past two years.  But it wasn’t only Bebe Cool who was making a comeback.

This year’s show was a welcome surprise after major setbacks in 2009.  PAM’s main sponsor Bell Lager pulled out, differences among shareholders ended up in court, and the award show was ultimately canceled.  This year’s PAM event thus recognized artists’ work for two years, 2009 and 2010– and went on without major hitches.

Despite being abroad in the U.S., Bebe Cool stole this year's PAM awards.

Hundreds thronged to watch the event live at a hall in the Lugogo showground, and the event was telecast live on Ugandan television.  MCs Roger Mugisha of K FM Radio, Crown Beverages’ J. Kazoora, and WBS’ Straka hosted the event.

Coco Finger gave the most energetic performance with “My Miss,” a song at the top of the Nigerian music charts.  Dr. Chameleon, Mozey Radio and Weasel, and Bebe Cool had performances outside of the country, and could not receive their awards.

Regionally, PAM named Brazen Rule the Northern Artiste of the year, Rocky for Eastern Uganda, and King Weedman won West Nile Artiste for the year.  On the music video front, Navio won his second award for the best music video of the year, the fire-drenched “Raw,” and Bebe Cool also won for best reggae artist.  ”Kapsiki” was named album of the year, beating out Bobi Wine’s “MR Money,” Radio and Weasel’s “Ngenda Masso,” and Dr. Chameleon’s “Vumilia.” Although Chameleon’s album didn’t win, his hit song ”Basiima Ogenze” was named the Best Afrobeat Single.

For the ladies, Miss Jojo won Best Female Artist for Rwanda, and Wahu won Best Female Artist Kenya.  For Uganda, Iryn Namubiru beat out crowd favorite Cindy, as well as Grace Nakimera and Juliana for  Female Artist of the Year.  Navio was voted Best Hip Hop Artist/Group, and judges voted GNL Zamba’s Kinkankane song best hip-hop single.  Eddy Kenzo was named this year’s best artist, and Pastor Wilson Bugembe won for Best Gospel Artist.  Bobi Wine lost out this year, and did not win any awards.

For lifetime achievement, legend Dan Mugula won after gracing the Ugandan music industry with his presence for over four decades.  The award show also recognized Silver Kyagulanyi as Song Writer of the Year, as well as Swangz Avenue Production’s Benon for audio production.

The event was quite well-organized, but there were some mishaps.  Straka Mwezi, who wore a green school uniform, challenged Mathias Walukaga, who won the Kadongo Kamu song of the year, to a dance battle.  Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough stamina.  During the battle, she got bumped and crumbled into a heap on the floor in front of the television cameras.  And in the cross-border categories, only Rwanda’s Alpha showed up– the rest stayed home.  Occasionally, the DJ would also play out wrong sound clips, and some songs were wrongly categorized.

Despite this, the show is on stable ground now– good news for East African artists, who deserve a night in the spotlight for both their hard work and innovation.

Samuel Ouga is a Ugandans Abroad reporter based in Kampala, Uganda.  He is committed to helping the Ugandan diaspora stay connected to issues back home.

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NEW YORK (Ugandans Abroad)— It has been a year that tested the depths of Bebe Cool and his fan’s imagination, one that plunged the artist into situations few of us could have probably survived.  Last January, after the R. Kelly concert in Kampala, an officer shot the 33-year-old reggae musician and his two bodyguards, as well as another police officer, at Centenary Park.  In May, Bebe and his wife, Zuena Kirema, crashed their car when a tire burst on the way to Kampala from Lira.  Then, on July 11th, terrorists bombed a World Cup event at the Kyadondo Rugby Club, using Bebe’s car to launch the second bomb.

The events stunned both the musician and his fans.  President Museveni reached out to Bebe Cool, and offered him and his family $70,000 to pursue treatment in the U.S, a controversial decision.  Despite this, Cool has suffered from serious financial problems, trying to cope with the nearly  astronomical cost of healthcare in the U.S.

Bebe Cool visiting San Francisco on his healing trip to the U.S.

I spoke with the artist when he was in Los Angeles over the phone, and then once while he was in Boston.  Bebe says he feels better than when he first came to the U.S., although it is difficult for him to stand up too long.  He is off the crutches, but he has a lot of problems in his lower back from lying down and sitting for so long.  Bebe will complete his treatment in the U.S. on November 15th, and will head back home to Uganda on November 22nd.  However, his nerves are still somewhat paralyzed in his legs, and doctors say it will take a long time for the nerves to heal.

Bebe says that when he came to the U.S. to make sure he would not have any major gunshot-related health problems in the future, such as a potentially serious blood clot.  ”The doctor said my blood flow was not so good.  Through therapy, my legs started to gain normal color, and the fracture that I had disappeared,” he told Ugandans Abroad.  ”From sitting for a very long time, my back was totally damaged.  These people have been working on my back more than the legs.”

Bebe started to go to the gym a few weeks ago, and says a black patch he had in his leg disappeared.  The pain is still a problem.  ”By the time I came here, I could not take a cup of tea because I would get pain for the next two hours,” he said.  ”I had to take room-temperature meals.  I would raise my legs above the body, and put them on a chair.”  During the day, Bebe usually rests on a couch the whole day, then sleeps all night.  He says all the rest has really helped the nerves in his body.

Despite his health problems, the recovering artist and his family have had a great time in the United States.  When we spoke to him, he had been in Los Angeles for two weeks.  ”My kids love America,” he said.  ”I took them to Disneyland.  They did the Peter Pan Ride, Snow White, Pirates of the Caribbean, and my son did Space Mountain.  The best part was the parade, it was worth it for the kids.”

Bebe Cool's kids love the U.S. Here they are in California.

Bebe hopes that the fun times in California can help the kids cope with the grief they went through when their father was shot.  ”They went through a lot of trauma with the shooting,” he said.  ”Their biggest problem is when they see policeman– even if they don’t see a gun, they’re not on good terms.”  Bebe says that in the beginning, they didn’t think the shooting would affect the kids, since they were still at a young age.

However, when his son went to school, his classmates taunted him and told him that his father was dead.  ”My son was being tortured in school,” Bebe said.  ”It was not easy for him.  He told me he could not go to school anymore, that they kept saying that I died.”  For two weeks, Bebe used his crutches to take his son to class, hoping to dispel rumors that he was dying.

When he is resting in the United States, Bebe often reflects on the incredible things that have happened to him this year.  Not just the shooting, but the recent car accident and surviving the bomb blasting at the Rugby Club on July 11th.  Cool says the second bomb detonated from his own car.

“I began the year with bullets,” he said, speaking of the night he was shot after the R. Kelly concert.  “Then the year went ahead with a car accident, then a bomb blast, and my car was blasted.”  In a strange way, Bebe feels that being shot was a blessing, potentially saving his life.  “The first bomb went off, and I was lucky.  I was crawling on my hands going to my car,” he said, recalling.  “The second bomb destroyed my whole car.  If I was normal, I would have made it on time for the second blast.”

Bebe Cool with his wife, Zuena Kiremba, in San Francisco.

When President Museveni contacted Bebe and offered him money for treatment, he asked him to bring his family for support, since Zuena and his kids had been through so much.  However, due to lack of insurance, Bebe didn’t spend more than three days in the hospital.  “Barely sitting with the doctor for 40 minutes cost just $1800 in consultation,” he said.  “One week of treatment was $62,000.  I jumped out after three days, and have been doing therapy with private doctors, physical therapy at clinics.”

Medical treatment in the U.S. has been shockingly expensive, and just flying Cool’s family to Boston from Uganda cost $12,000.  The cost of living has also been very difficult.  “Barely having breakfast at a restaurant for the whole family is $50, which is sh1000,000,” Bebe said, sounding shocked.  “Just lunch is $80.  The president told me to call in case I need anything.”  However, Bebe says he doesn’t want to ask for any more help, since he was already given $75,000.  He is grateful for the help of the president, and says he will support President Museveni’s campaign when he comes back home.

Bebe has still suffered a lot of financial problems, with his medical bills and family expenses reaching as much as $150,000.  Many people are suing him for gigs he had agreed to perform at but couldn’t after being shot.  “There are warrants of arrest at the airport,” he said.  Cool says is gravely worried of security, and is having regular conversations with the police inspector general back home.

“Security is the first issue in my life,” he said somberly.  When people heard about the money that President Museveni was giving the artist after being shot by the officer, he feels that a lot wanted their own share, with many after his property.

Bebe Cool's mom and daughter in Massachusetts.

One thing the artist can’t shake is that the man who shot him is facing five attempted murder cases, but got bail.  “How does he get bail?” he said, angry.  “Two can’t walk.  I’ve seen pictures of walking, and he didn’t put down any bail money, of course.”  Bebe says that after his bodyguard was shot, his pregnant wife lost the kid because of stress.

“When you look at the reasons of people coming after me, it’s because of the treatment money,” he said.  “They don’t have a single idea.  They think I’ll be scared.  It’s the way Ugandans are they, they never want to see a person happy, and then they want to cling on.  They find a road to you, but the good thing is you can find a road off of them.”

He has to pay money to about six people over breaches of contract related to his medical problems.  Bebe is suing the government after being shot by the police officer, who is currently out on bail, and hopes that an out-of-court settlement will help him recover financially.  Bebe has also been taking care of the other policeman with him who was shot, and his bodyguard.  Despite these worries, he’s had a lovely time in the United States, and cherishes the time he spends with his wife.

“Any woman from Africa would love to fly to the U.S.  She’s hyper, she’s happy.  I’ve taken her to different countries, but this is a country I hadn’t brought her to,” he said.  “Even though the trip was not for good reasons, the trip was worth it.”  Zuena has used her time in the U.S. to study differen shops and expose herself further to international fashion.  She hopes to start her own fashion business when she goes home.

Bebe Cool will perform in Washington, D.C. on November 13th.

“She [Zuena] loves fashion, her dream was fashion,” Bebe said.  “She’s gotten some good ideams, it’s an advantage of traveling.”

So far, the couple has been to Boston, New York, ,Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami and Denver.  After a concert last weekend at the French Club, Bebe has returned to Los Angeles, and will perform on November 13th in D.C., before returning to Uganda.  The concert is being advertised as the biggest East African Concert of the year.  Then after D.C., he’ll be heading back to the motherland.  On December 3rd, he will perform back in Uganda at the Resort Beach in Entebbe.

Bebe is excited to return home on November 22nd, and is a bit homesick.  He says it feels good just to talk with people back in Uganda online on Facebook.  “I am so excited to get back home, and put my first foot out,” he said.  “I wondered if I would ever get back straight– even when I was booking my ticket, I couldn’t stand on the ground floor.  But I had that hope.”

Rebecca Harshbarger is a journalist based in New York.  You can follow her on twitter here.

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It was the show of the year! Bebe Cool’s show at the French Club last Saturday was definitely a success.  The turn-out was strong, and the fans had nearly three hours of fun with the artist, unlike other shows we’ve had with musicians back home.  The organizer of the show, Ms. Hawah Ssebunya, gets an A+ for organizing such a wonderful show.  The M.C., Charles Muwavala, also gets high marks, from the smoothness of the event to the clear sound.

The Ugandan community in Boston loves Bebe Cool.

The evening began with Touch and Soul, a band from Boston headed by the son of the late Elly Wamala.  The DJ was largely excellent until the eleventh hour, when he made some strange comments that left fans puzzled.

But at exactly 11:05, the MC introduced Bebe Cool to the stage, and the crowd screamed.  Many people could not believe that he could walk and dance on his feet after the shootings earlier this year.

Bebe Cool thanked and praised the Touch and Soul band for their performance that night, and vowed that he would use the band every time he returns to Boston.  He also advised all musicians to support the band– and the crowd gave this large applause.

During the second part of the show,  DJ Jamo (also known as DJ Kasenge) played tune after tune, and the crowd kept screaming.  Everytime he stopped, the crowd would shout, then scream again when he would start playing.  It was really fun!

During the show, Bebe introduced his mother and wife Zuena, who had been seated in the back.  Before Zuena came on the stage, Bebe introduced his mother, and sung a number he composed for her.  Bebe said he missed her a great deal.  His mother could not stop tears of joy from rolling down her cheeks.  Then Zuena showed up at the stage, delighting the audience.

Men in the crowd began cheering “kale omusajja alina embooko,” literally meaning that Bebe has a beautiful wife.  Zuena thanked the people of Boston for welcoming them, and supporting her husband.  Finally, the Kasepiki song came on, and the crowd went crazy.  Zuena stood behind her husband as he blew the Kasepiki.  He sang the song twice, as fans called for more.

By12:45 am, almost everything ended as planned.  Then we had another show from DJ Jamo, who began by  thanking everyone who turned up that evening.  As a Luganda saying goes, “ku mbaga tekubula musiwuufu.”  After the DJ thanked everyone, he started yelling in the microphone at someone who wrote an article about an earlier Chameleone  show in Boston.

People couldnt believe that such words were coming from the DJ, who had had a nice night.  At some point, he even threatened to expose this writer that was in the crowd.  He even went on to compare his wedding with the person who had written that article, boasting that DJ Jamo had a more fantastic wedding than him.  DJ Jamo went on to warn that no writer that he can put him or her in, meaning that he has the power to put the reporter behind bars in Uganda .

At this time, a drunk man began yelling in Luganda, “leka baba wandikeko tukoye okutubba.” This means that they should write about you; we are tired of being cheated.  Then ladies began joking with chants of “bali tebamanyi nti nabasajja balina wolokoso,” or that they didn’t know that men also gossip.

Many people were puzzled as the DJ asked whether he should expose this guy, to which he got no answer.  The DJ’s show ended up being about seven minutes long.  It finally ended when one intoxicated woman yelled back at the DJ, and told him to keep quiet about those writing about him.  She added that he should be happy that people knew him, and which newspaper had ever composed a story about him,  apart from imposters.

As the DJ ended his speech, he promised the crowd to expose the journalist who covered the Chameleone performance.  But up to now, people are still trying to figure out what inspired the Dj to give such an uncalled speech. At 1 a.m., it was time to go home.

Despite entertainers threatening to take reporters out for unfavorable reviews, it was really a great night.  We haven’t seen anything like this in Boston this year! The fans just wanted more music.

And keep an eye on this page– you shouldn’t miss out if the DJ decides to expose the writer!

Geoffrey Nsereko is a Ugandan-American radio presenter based in Boston, Massachusetts.  He hosts a radio show on http://www.radiougandaboston.com/about.htm.  It is called “Gyetuva ne Gyetulaga,” and airs on Wednesday from 5:00 pm EST and Sunday from 6:00 pm.  You can listen through the Radio Uganda Boston website here.

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Chameleone will perform this Saturday in Toronto. Facebook.

Canadians in the diaspora will get a treat over the weekend when Chameleone performs in Toronto this Saturday, October 16th.

To catch the show, come to Macedonian Hall at 237 Sackville Street in downtown Toronto.  Runs Tee, Ak 47, Wonder Boy and Michael Kimbugwe will also perform.

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Miss Uganda winners. Hazmie Nansubuga, the winner for 2010, is in the middle. New Vision.

However, after she had been declared a winner, Capital FM’s Allan Kasujja and another judge told reporters that the judge had actually chosen another winner, Aisha Nagudi, New Vision reported.  Nagudi, however, didn’t even grab first or second runner-up, with those awards going to Barbara Kajote and Gloria Atuhaire.

The event’s organizer, Joyce Church, added to the confusion by saying the results were not final.  Church also organized last year’s Miss Uganda event, whose results were also controversial when a Ugandan in the diaspora from the U.K., Maria Namiiro, won the event.

Miss World is the oldest international beauty pageant, and is organized in the United Kingdom.  Gibraltor’s Kaiane Aldorino is currently Miss World.

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WALTHAM, Massachusetts–

This weekend, Chameleone performed in Waltham.  But honestly, all people who attended the show were cheated, and everyone was cursing both Chameleone  and the organisers, the Bantu Productions, plus their so- called sponsors, Radio Uganda USA (not affiliated with Radio Uganda Boston).  Now this is what I observed: First of all on the flyers, the entrance fee was $25 ,but at the door it was $30.  Nevertheless, people paid.

Chameleone performed over the weekend in Massachusetts, but the Ugandan community abroad was disappointed with the brief and disorganized performance.

The show was supposed to start at 9 p.m., but it started at 11.30pm with a young artist called Shakira of Massachussetts, followed by an artist called Mbalile nicknamed Kiwalo Kito singing his hit Omukwano Gwe Wala.  The music was then followed by three guys from Maine, and no one could understand what they were singing.

In the meantime, DJ Kasenge kept announcing that Mr. Chameleone was coming anytime.  So after those 3 people singing, it took another 35 minutes for Mr. Chameleone to show up.

As an interlude, DJKasenge had to play some music to the audience, who by this time had started getting bored and yelling to be refunded.

DJ Kasenge kept playing old-school music; everyone was mad by this time.  The master of ceremony, Mr. Charles Muvawala, was seen running back and forth trying to control the situation.  It seems that it took a lot of convincing for this show to happen.

I believe the problem was about the payments as Chameleone wanted to be paid in full before he started  performing, but the organizers from Bantu productions wanted to pay him after the show.  Chameleone refused.  No one knew the exact amount as both parties were tight-lipped about this.  But tempers were high backstage.

Finally,  at 12.20am Mr. Chameleone  showed up, coming in a very funny way, not even saying hi to the audience.  He didn’t even apologize for being late.  Before coming on, it took another minute, he was looking for his intro song, ,so at this pont in time DJ Kasenge had to step aside.  Then DJ Barnazo from Maine had to step in to save the day, as he knows Chameleone’s speed.  Unfortunately, when he started perfoming, the audio was as if it was a pre-wedding party in Masaka.  The sound was terrible, and at times the microphone went off. Chameleone had to personally ask to increase his mic’s volume.

Then there was the issue of the stage- it was crowded with four people in the background dancing high up,then there were about three people taking pictures.  At one point in time, the MC, Mr. Muvawala, was seen pushing Ms. Eva Nabawanuka, who was taking pictures off the stage.  Mr. Solomon, a cameraman,  kept bumping into Chameleone.  Sometimes, you could not even know that he was a cameraman.  Then the deejay’s corner had like five people in that corner, so it was really crazy.  I have never seen such a mess in a Chameleon show.

Only 35 minutes into the show, five minutes before one, the performance ended.  We only listened to those old songs of Chameleone– he sung about eight songs, not even basima ogenze as was the name for the show.

There were about 250 people enduring this, not really a good number compared to other Chameleone shows.  After the show, many people swore never to see Chameleone perform again– others were saying they would never attend anything organized by Bantu Productions.

One person, Mr. Kibugo Dan, said that Ugandan artists need to adjust their terms.  He said that they demand a lot of money, and when people dont show up, the organisers also suffer a loss.  The loss should be incurred by two parties, as its expensive to bring them here.

Mr. Seruwagi from New Jersey said he was thanking God that Chameleone did not end up physically fighting anyone.  But people were not happy at all.  The artist is next off to Chicago– let’s hope his next event abroad is much smoother!

Geoffrey Nsereko is a presenter for Radio Uganda Boston, a partner of Ugandans Abroad.  You can listen to Radio Uganda Boston here.

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If you’ve ever been to a Ugandan function in New York, New Jersey, or across the pond in Switzerland, you will probably recognize this talented man by one thing: his ubiquitous Yankees hat, preferably red.  David Clein, who goes by DJ Clein, has about a hundred baseball hats– and he loves them so much that many of his friends have grown suspicious that he might not have any hair.

DJ Clein, a Ugandan DJ who lives in New Jersey, has worked clubs and events all over the world.

“I wear it because I’m shy,” he said.  ”"My friends thought I was bald.”  You would never guess this from any event DJ Clein does, but his quiet and observant demeanor when the party’s over can offer a few hints that this crowd-loving deejay could actually be shy.

I met DJ Clein at a relatively quiet bar on Hudson Street in New York.  He lives, not too far away, in Haledon, New Jersey, with his manager’s family, though he’s more often than not in midtown Manhattan, looking for the latest cool joint where he can spin.  Dressed in jeans, a red Yankees baseball cap (of course), and Timberlands, he ordered an orange juice (you’ll never see him sip a beer), and he told Ugandans Abroad about his experiences DJing for the diaspora all over the world- Geneva.  London.  Boston.  D.C.  New York.  The list keeps growing.

Clein’s developed a large international following by a unique approach to deejaying– he never works off a set playlist for the evening, he always tries to give the crowd exactly what they want,  and he consistently does his homework before the event takes place.  Although lately he seems to be the most popular Ugandan deejay in the tri-state area, he plays for diverse crowds, from the Lower East Side in New York to American weddings in New York.

Clein got his start deejaying as a twelve-year-old in Kampala!

Initially, he got his start back home in Uganda.  Although born in Kenya, Clein grew up in Kitintale, a suburb in Kampala, and he had a lot of family in the diaspora in Switzerland.  He began deejaying in 1993 through lessons from his brother, who would deejay at parties and bring his equipment back home, which fascinated Clein.  ”My first break as a deejay was when I was twelve years old,” he told Ugandans Abroad.  ”There was a wedding anniversary, and my brother had to deejay another party.  He had another party and asked me to deejay for him.”

The 12-year-old was, well, up for the challenge.  ”I was only twelve years old, but I knew the music!” he said.  ”Everyone was amazed and asked, how old is this kid?” He deejayed through secondary school at Gaba’s Royal College, playing at school and house parties, and then launched his own radio station at Nkumba University in 2003.

Before he went to university, Clein got some experience working for FM 90.8, which was part of the former Radio Uganda.  However, the radio station he started in Entebbe was pretty different- for starters, Clein launched it from his bedroom using the most barebone of equipment and a radio frequency that nobody was using (FM 96.2 in Jinja), with a 5 km radius.

“I called it Nkumba Radio,” he said.  ”I used to broadcast from 6 p.m. to midnight, depending on when I was in the room, and it started building up.  Even lecturers listened to it, people would send me messages with announcements for the students using my radio station, which was easier than sending out newsletters.”

The radio station became more and more popular, a must-listen for students on the campus.  ” It was a success– the only radio station in Entebbe,” Clein said.  ”I didn’t make much money, but it was my passion.  It made me feel good.  I was the DJ of the school.”  Two other friends began helping him, and another student began flipping through newspapers and reading the headlines on the air.  Other people would come into the station from the campus newspaper.

After living in Uganda and Switzerland, Clein is now the Ugandan deejay to go to in the New York metropolitan area.

Unfortunately for the nascent DJ, the Ministry of Information heard about Clein’s station and told him that all radio statistics had to pay sh2million to operate in Uganda, even student stations.  The station was taken off the air.  ”It was a sad day,” he said, remembering.  The station had been on for almost a year and a half.  Clein was discouraged, but he kept DJing at clubs in Entebbe until he graduated.

In 2003, he went to Switzerland in the hopes of finding more job opportunities than there were in Uganda when he graduated.  ”I went to Switzerland, and the next day I was deejaying at a party, that’s how instant it was,” he said.  ”No sleeping or jet lag,” he joked.  A Kenyan DJ attended the birthday party he covered, and asked him to DJ at a bar in Geneva.

At first, the bar started him on a Monday night, when there were almost no people.  However, things kept progressing until he was covering Wednesday, Thursday, and then the weekends.  Clein’s style was different because most Swiss deejays then focused on house music and top 40s, whereas he tried to focus on playing whatever people requested and wanted, never working from a set playlist.

“80 percent of Swiss deejays only played house music, yet 20 percent played something else, so I got the limelight,” he said.  Clein also embraced the U.N., interning with the U.N. Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and then got a job with a human rights group.  Not only did he enjoy the work he was doing, but the U.N. also doors opened for him to deejay.  ”I deejayed at the U.N. itself, during holidays and end-of-year parties,” he said.

A music promoter who had worked with MC Light, the Fugees, and other artists called DJ Clein, and got him jobs in clubs in East London, Berlin, and clubs in France.

To prep for a job, DJ Clein would get to the city a few days before, and listen to the radio stations.  He get the top 20 hits for the country he was in, and visit shops to learn what albums were popular.  He would attend the club a few nights before he would play to get a feel for it.  By studying, he found he can DJ successfully anywhere, from a U.N. party to a Filipino couples’ wedding.

Although he loved Europe, he decided to try a new music and entertainment frontier- the United States.  The differences, he said, between playing in Europe were breath-taking.  ”Have you ever heard of the West Coast-East divide? The music depends on the state you’re in,” he said.  ”That’s the problem I have.  You can play similar music in France, Spain, even Ukraine.  Not here.”  Clein says the music and crowds he plays for vary wildly depending on whether you are in New York or Miami, the Midwest or California, the U.S. South or Boston.  In the South, they have a music called country.  [Here] people will throw bottles at you here if you play country.”

Another issue he says is that there are few clubs compared to Europe, but many more deejays.  ”I’m not doing as well in Switzerland,” he said.  ”They have so many clubs but not deejays.  Here it’s all about hustling– how do I get into that club?” Deejays in Europe he said are also more willing to help each other, but in the U.S. they can be much more competitive.  ”Deejays don’t stick together,” he said.  ”They are always fighting over gigs.”

For Ugandans coming to New York for a visit, or those living here and looking for a place to blow off steam after work, where does DJ Clein suggest they go out? Clein loves the Jay-Z-owned 40-40 Club, a sports bar and lounge on 25th street, between Broadway and fifth avenue.  He also recommends Shadow, not too far away on 28th street, between seventh and eighth avenue.  Pink Elephant is another favorite, a club located on 8th avenue, near 28th.

Many Ugandans back home and abroad love their country’s music, as well as artists around the world.  If you think you have what it takes to deejay, or you want to improve your work, where do you start? DJ Clein offers some tips from the experiences he’s gained, deejaying since he was a twelve-year-old in Kitintale.

DJ Clein’s Tips for Deejays

1. Look out for other deejays. Rather than feeling territorial, Clein says he tries to help other deejays by finding them gigs.  When he started, many deejays helped him with advice and lending him equipment.  ”I try to look out for my fellow deejays,” he said.

2.  Stand up for your business. One of Clein’s most memorable moments was when he played for a wedding, and the bride asked him much he charged.  When he gave her his rate, the wife-to-be laughed.  ”She told me to grow some balls,” Clein said.  ”She said– don’t be shy! This is business.”  She paid him much more than he asked for, and he realized he shouldn’t undervalue himself.

3.  Stop following a playlist. Clein comes with different playlists of top hits and different genres, but no master list for one night.  ”Stop following a playlist,” he advised.  ”You never know what to expect.”

4.  Skip those five-minute songs. One problem with deejays, he says, is that they play a song until it ends, and then mix in another time.  Clein only plays about a minute and a half of each song, trying to keep his audience on their toes.  ”Give them something new,” he said.  ”People get bored.”

5.  Play your best music, no matter whose on the floor. Clein doesn’t keep lists of favorite music for the crowd is at its peak.  ”Even if I have two people on the dance floor, I’ll  make them happy,” he said.  ”If people are happy, I’m happy.”

6.  Don’t start out with expensive equipment. “If you are an upcoming deejay, start with cheap $300 equipment,”: he said.  ”It’s all about how you use it.  If you play music, you replace some things later.  Start with something small, and see how it picks up.”  When Clein began, he would even borrow microphones for gigs, waiting until he got his own stuff.

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