Hottest 2015 gossip

Bebe buys Shs400m plot from father

In December 2014, archrival singers Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone shared a stage at Kiwatule. We were told that the two had been reunited by a common factor that is responsible for many wrangles and relationships – money. The two artistes were believed to have received millions of shillings from the ruling NRM party to headline the big man’s campaigns entertainment team.
While we are yet to know where Chameleone spent his money, we managed to peep into Bebe Cool’s books.

And no, Bebe did not use some of the money to complete his four-year-long Kiwatule apartments project, but instead gave Shs82m to an American-based production house as part payment for shooting and producing three music videos off his 2015 Go Mama album.

Don’t curse yet, the singer also finally paid his dad, Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, for an acre of land adjacent to his apartments.
Bebe said he bought the land at Shs400m and Bidandi confirmed the transaction, but not the figures.

Bebe told us that he would start constructing on his new land a few months later. The story later came to be true as Bebe and Chameleone headlined the Tubonga Naawe song project; a declaration that they traded with NRM.

Kansiime is Uganda’s most liked Facebook personality

Step aside President Museveni, please remain silent, yes, you, Bebe Cool, the self-acclaimed biggest Ugandan artiste on social media, step forward Ann Kansiime, the real most liked Ugandan star on Facebook!

Yes, the comedian began 2015 on a good note after her Facebook page hit 600,000 likes.

At the time, no other public figure came half way Kansiime’s likes on social media site. Not even Desire Luzinda and her nude photos-new-found fame could match up.

Bebe Cool had 292,151 likes, Chameleone 196, 658, Eddy Kenzo 89,860 while President Museveni had only 162, 969.

Kansiime could not hide her excitement; “I can’t believe we finally are a family of 600,000 my ninjas and lovers! Best New Year’s gift ever! There is still room in my heart for many more of you. Keep liking. I love you guys to bits!” Kansiime wrote.
Well, Kansiime’s page has since doubled the likes, currently at about 1,288, 770 (by press time).

Singer A Pass opens up first bank account

Yes, for all those years, singer A Pass kept his money under the mattress, or was it in the pillow? But that all became history at the beginning of last year when he became a proud new bank account owner at UBA in January- and it was his first bank account.
We witnessed and laughed sheepishly as A Pass, clad in black skinny khaki trousers, and open shoes, walked into the UBA main branch at Spear House, Jinja Road and headed to the account opening section and stated; “I’ve never owned a bank account and I was told this bank is good!”

Meanwhile, the lady on the other side did not seem to have heard A Pass’ exclamation; as she simply smiled endlessly for about five minutes – star-struck.

The lady abandoned all the other people in the queue and rushed to the sales office to get someone to assist A Pass, but instead more than four ladies emerged. A Pass was handed account opening forms, but the lady practically did most of the filling in.

A Pass was told his account would be ready for use after 48 hours; but the bank people were too excited to realise what excitement the achievement had brought on the singer’s face. We still want to congratulate A Pass on that achievement!
Eddy Kenzo performs at Afcon, plays for SC Villa again

Singer Eddy Kenzo can’t stop thanking his Allah. At the beginning of the year, he was listed in popular mainstream UK publication The Guardian as one of the top five African stars to watch out for in 2015.

Kenzo was listed along with Nigeria’s Wizkid, British Ghanaian Mista Silva, Fabregas Le Metis Noir from Congo, and Kid X from South Africa.

In the article, the writer referred to Kenzo’s Sitya Loss hit as ‘the biggest African pop song you have probably never heard…”
But as he was still celebrating his debut appearance in The Guradian, Kenzo received a phone call from the organisers of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), confirming that they would like him to return and perform at the closing ceremony of Africa’s biggest soccer tourney.

Kenzo was flown from Gabon to Equatorial Guinea in a private jet to perform at the grand opening ceremony. He has since received many awards and nominations, but his other outstanding story was returning to Villa Park to play for SC Villa. The game was a testimonial match organised to bid farewell to footie star Hakim Magumba.
Bobi Wine’s family gets endorsement deals

When we said singer Bobi Wine’s new-born child was in things, we were not simply creating another gossip story. Bobi and wife Barbie’s endeavours to keep their new bundle of joy- baby Suubi Shine from the public eye paid off.

At barely two months old, baby Shine received her first multi-million endorsement deal as the face of 7 Days diapers in Uganda.
Baby Shine is said to have made her parents richer by up to Shs100m.
Well, Bobi Wine, his wife Barbie and their four children went on to make history as the first celebrity family in Uganda with each member having an endorsement deal.

Besides Shine, the Ghetto first family announced that their three older children had been signed up as brand ambassadors for Mothers food company.

Diamond Platnumz wants a collabo with Aziz Azion

Shocking, isn’t it? Probably this is evidence that talent appreciation is varying.
How else would you best describe Diamond Platinumz’ choice of artiste for a duet in Uganda! Yes, you read right – Diamond made it clear that he wants to record a duet with Aziz Azion.

Well, not that Aziz is not talented, but by Ugandan standards, we were already starting to forget him! When was the last time you saw him perform? The last time he tried to have a concert this year, it did not get any media mileage and the little talk that went about it on radio stations indicated that he had registered massive flops!
But like the English adage goes; one man’s meat is another’s poison!
Well, we can’t wait for the duet! Who knows, this might just be Azion’s big come back for even bigger things like power play on MTV Base and continental awards. Go for it Aziz, all the best!

Moses Kigongo parties with Faridah Nakazibwe

We always look forward to watching the ‘serious’ leaders and senior citizens loosen up! Forget the little movements they display during high end events. But had you ever imagined a man as senior and highly regarded as NRM deputy chairman Moses Kigongo, on the dance floor in a nightclub! You don’t have to imagine anymore, we witnessed it first hand,
Mid this year, Hajj Kigongo hit Club Guvnor with his new catch- NTV news anchor Faridah Nakazibwe. And as if to certify rumours that have been making rounds, Hajj Kigongo traversed the fully-packed Guvnor holding Faridah’s hand.

Clad in faded blue jeans and a flowery white and blue shirt, Kigongo and Faridah went straight to the 40-plus section, where a VVIP section at the extreme end had been reserved for just the two of them. But like is the norm with many young girls, Faridah had a female friend with her.

The two sat close to each other and painted the club with affection as they kept whispering and laughing with each other. The couple also danced, and not to old songs. Kigongo proved his stamina is still intact as he boogied to Davido’s Number One, Chameleone’s Wale Wale, Eddy Kenzo’s Sitya Loss to Busy Signal’s Bedroom Bully. He seemed to enjoy himself, and Faridah seemed to enjoy twice as much.
The two exited the Club at close to 3am, holding hands and spotting beaming smiles
Irene Ntale clinches Oriflame, Ambition Mission deals, cancels debut concert

 

“I am the Brand new Ambassador for Oriflame Uganda!! ??Oriflame I am totally humbled and honoured for this amazing opportunity! I intend to represent Oriflame to the best of my ability…!” was singer Irene Ntale’s post on Facebook shortly after she was unveiled as the new Oriflame ambassador in Mombasa early 2015.?
Ntale replaced songbird Juliana Kanyomozi who had been the Oriflame ambassador for two years.

After penning a contract in Kampala, Ntale was flown to Mombasa for unveiling. Ntale remained reticent about how much she had bagged, but sources at Swangz Avenue, her management, told us that the deal was worth thousands of dollars.

Before the Oriflame deal, Ntale had just been appointed Red Card ambassador, a campaign which fights drunk driving across the region.
However, Ntale was unhappy after she had to move her debut Nzenna Nzenna concert that was scheduled for Friday August 28 to favour the Busy Signal Vs Konshens battle.

But the singer shortly found consolation in yet another endorsement deal; she was appointed the Ambition Mission Project ambassador. The project preaches the anti-tobacco gospel.
Sudhir ranked 22 on Africa’s richest list, throws house parties

Barely a week into 2015, and a website had already released several lists of Africa’s leading personalities in different categories. www.africaranking.com ranked Africa’s top dictators, militaries, curvaceous celebrities, footballers, musicians, pastors as well as the continent’s richest people.

The Ugandan military came at 13, but no one, not even the much hyped Desire Luzinda made it to the list of Africa’s most curvaceous celebrities.

However, when it came to wealth, Uganda was well represented by Sudhir Ruparelia.
According to African Ranker, Sudhir stands at 22 among Africa’s richest.
Sudhir was the only East African in the top 30. And after years of serious nurturing, this year, the tycoon also officially handed son Rajiv Ruparelia the powers to manage most of his property. From just a trial role of a site manager on one building, Rajiv soared to the role of Group property investments manager in Uganda and Rwanda.

This was made public during the launch of Crane Plaza at Kisementi.
And this year, Sudhir officially entered his $5m (about Shs17b) mansion in Kololo. The tycoon threw a streak of house warming parties for people in different categories. However, the official house warming party was the Symphony in Blue, that was organised by Uganda Breweries under their Johnnie Walker Blue Label luxury brand, to celebrate their top global client on his new achievement.
A few months later, Sudhir gave away his second daughter Sheena Ruparelia – another big do at his new mansion! Congs Sudhir and family!