Unity: The kadongokamu artiste will be name-dropping some of the country’s bigwigs from the district.
A correction will certainly be welcome in case the statement is not true. But for now, Kadongokamu star Mathias Walukaga’s concert at Freedom City Mall tonight is set to be the first one held by a major musician in celebration of what a particular area of Uganda has given to the country.
The self-knighted Kadongokamu star launches his latest monster hit Ekyatusomosa Lwera (Why we Crossed Lweera) tonight, and he has promised his fans a show to write home about. But the real news about the event is that it is organised to celebrate the contribution that the greater Masaka area (Buddu County, according to the Buganda kingdom’s administrative mapping) has made to Uganda’s progress as a nation.
“The concert has been organised and financed by people who come from the greater Masaka area, as a get-together event to celebrate their origin and joint contribution to the country,” Walukaga says.
“Many people who crossed Lwera (or rather who come from Masaka) have promised to be there, especially the rich and famous. Several of them will be recognised in special ways. Many of them have also promised to interact with different people and establish network contacts with them.”
The crossing of Lwera which Walukaga talks of (and sings of on the track), is a phrase commonly used by people from Masaka to hint at their heroism and steadfastness. Lwera is the sandy area just before Katonga River Bridge which divides Masaka and Mpigi districts, where very many accidents occur because of a bad road surface caused by a swampy nature, and people from Masaka like to say they crossed the dark spot to reflect that they will make it even when the odds are stacked against them.
Ekyatusomosa Lwera itself, the song Walukagga will be launching, is a piece the singer obviously composed to celebrate the contribution that his area of origin, Masaka, has made to the progress of Uganda over the years.
On the song, Walukagga lauds the great works that people from the greater Masaka area have accomplished over the years, pointing out outstanding individuals in different sectors and ultimately pausing the question of where Uganda would be without those individuals and their feats.
Among the individuals Walukagga points out in the song are Vice President Edward Ssekandi, Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago and Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga on the political front, while police bigwig AIGP Felix Kaweesi and army veteran Brigadier Elly Kayanja represent the military side. On the business side the singer mentions Gordon Wavamuno, Hajj BMK Kibirige, Ssebalamu of Freedom City, Hamis Kiggundu of Ham Enterprises, Christine Nabukeera and Hajj Muyanja Mbabaali, among others. On the music side he points out Eddy Kenzo, Geofrey Lutaaya, King Saha, Pastor Bugembe, Irene Namatovu, Jamal Wasswa and Ziza Bafana, among others.
Talking of the people who should be celebrating ‘crossing Lwera’ at his concert, Walukaga introduces an interesting twist when he says actually not only people from Masaka should go to the concert, but also those from Ankole and Kigezi because they also crossed Lwera to come to Kampala.
“In reality, people like President Museveni, Afande Kayihura, Prime Minister Rugunda and all who come from Ankole and Kigezi also crossed Lwera. So they are part of those who should be celebrating this event. In fact the people of Masaka and those from western region have close links, so it applies to them all.”
The Kadongokamu singer, who is shortlisted in the Best Traditional Artiste category of the 2015 Kora Music Awards, a continent-wide awards gala, says his fans should as ever expect to be entertained as well as informed and educated.
Fans will part with 10k and 30k for ordinary and VIP tickets respectively.
editorial@ug.natio
