Jose Chameleone (L) and Fik Fameica (R)
The mood was somber as thousands made their way to the late Mowzey Radio’s Neverland home in Makindye Luwafu to pay respect to the artiste that breathed his last on Thursday morning at Case Hospital, Kampala.
Radio’s friends, fans, family and fellow musicians all gave glowing and touching tributes to a man that was considered one of the greatest vocalists Uganda has ever produced. And yet this did not stop mischief, chaos and violence from going down.
Fik Fameica
Singer Chameleone proved that he did not learn much from the bar fight that claimed Radio’s life when he, together with his gang, beat up fellow musician Fik Fameica at the vigil.
The late Mowzey Radio
Trouble started when the numbers of mourners rapidly increased. It had been expected that the notorious Kifeesi and Lipanda criminal gangs would show up at the vigil just like they robbed multiple gadgets from mourners at the late AK47’s vigil that was held at the National Theatre in 2015.
To prevent the same from happening, a big number of police officers and otherbig-muscled men were deployed around the mansion. They did a good job directing people where to seat and ensured that everyone was comfortable.
Mowzey Radio’s mother, Jane Kasubo (2nd right) at the vigil. PHOTO BY MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI
However, at about midnight, shortly after Fik Fameica’s arrival, members of Kifeesi also showed up. It was during this time that a phone belonging to Weasel, Radio’s music partner mysteriously disappeared. Chameleone who wanted to recover his young brother’s phone begun to ask who had taken the phone. Unfortunately or fortunately (we are not sure) one of the mourners said one of the young men in the company of Fik Fameica had been seen stealing the phone.
Since the alleged thief had disappeared, Chameleone begun to grill Fameica on the whereabouts of his ‘friend’. Fameica, however, feigned ignorance which further angered Chameleone who looked already drunk.
Fellow musician Omulangira Ssuna speaks at the vigil. PHOTO MY MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI
Chameleone, together with his crew, reportedly descended on Fameica, throwing punches, Kicking and pulling till they threw him to the ground. Watching the gruesome scene, I was reminded of Neil LaBute’s 2010 movie Death at a Funeral and hoped that it would not be brought back to life in Uganda.
Fameica managed to get up and run for his life using one of the numerous routes out of the mansion, never to return for the vigil. Members of Kifeesi took advantage of the chaos to rob from the mourners. The situation got out of control as Police was soon outnumbered by goons. The smell of marijuana filled the air at every corner of the mansion as pick pocketing and unnecessary fighting took course.
The casket containing the body of Mowzey Radio. PHOTO BY MICHEAL KAKUMIRIZI
Peace and calm were later restored when Military Police arrived at the venue. Seems most of the people who prefer staying out of trouble had already left the vigil.
Requiem Mass for Mowzey Radio was held today at 2pm at Rubaga Cathedral. It was later taken to Kololo airstrip grounds for Public viewing. The singer will be laid to rest tomorrow in Kagga- Nakawuka on Entebbe Road at 4pm.
