Ivan Ssemwanga and King Lawrence riding in a Limousine. Photo by Rdgar R Batte
December is here and the festive cheer is on. It is also that time of the year when those in the diaspora choose to come home to take a break from hard work and the stress associated therewith. There are the flashy lot though, who will not have their holiday quietly.
On Friday last week, South-African based Ivan Ssemwanga and Lawrence Kiyingi (King Lawrence) who go under the alias of Rich Gang, arrived in the country and they made sure there was an unusual reception. Their third counterpart, Eddie Kyeyune (Cheune) came a little earlier than his two relatives.
There were beautiful girls to hand them flowers as a welcome gesture and then media to capture the moment. They arrived ahead of their ‘Rich Gang’ party that is slated for December, 23 at Liquid Silk. Their party is characterized with flashy exhibitionism.
On arrival Ssemwanga and Lawrence told media that they are happy to be back home and are ready to have as much fun as time can allow.
“We are saddened that one of our former member, Katsha (real name Shafiq Katumba), was battling in court. We have left him with money to help him secure a bond,” Lawrence said when asked about their former member who is in court in South Africa over fraud-related charges.
Later on that night, Ssemwanga was already showing off stashes of dollars, in bundles, in his hotel room at Kampala Serena Hotel. He said he could not wait to share some of it. He looks lighter though but when asked he said that he has not bleached but his lighter skin was an effect of living a lavish lifestyle.
The Rich Gang Party is another showcase altogether. The three arrive at the party in a dramatic way, with a motorcade led by a limousine and followed with Hummers and other expensive cars.
Organizers make sure that photographers, and photojournalists alike, are waiting to snap away. They then head to the nightclub where they treat revellers to an open bar as they take shelter in the VIP booths, taking television interviews. Later on in the night, they throw money about, creating a stampede as party lovers fight to get themselves some of the money.
rbatte@ug.nationmedia.com
