Comedian Tumu Siime in one of his comedy skits. COURTESY PHOTO
There is a good mix of old and new on this year’s list of artistes that are slated to entertain revellers at Lunkulu Island, the new venue for the Bayimba International Festival of the arts.
The island is among many on the shores of Lake Victoria, one of the world’s largest fresh water bodies. The festival moves to the sandy shorelines where revellers will spend four days in a camping experience between August 2nd and 5th this year.
Perhaps a choice for a tourism excursion too, after a decade of being hosted at Uganda National Cultural Centre (UNCC), commonly known as National Theatre.
Lunkulu is located 42 kilometres from Kampala and 60 kilometres from Jinja.
Jose Chameleone
Jose Chameleone will perform again this year, and so for Chance Nalubega, whose energetic and engaging stage performance in the theatre auditorium should have left the festival organisers biting finger nails on the decision to put the veteran female artiste on a smaller stage.
Kabuye Semboga will be bringing memories with some of his classics like Onyambanga, Sheila, Ebisaanyi, Fahima, and more songs that earned him fame in the 1990s. His vocal abilities are still fresh and on point.
Kadongo Kamu ace Lord Fred Ssebatta & Matendo Promoted Singers returns to entertain revellers. Their spirited stage showcase last year left revellers with a break of sweat.
Chance Nalubega
Music lovers will also feed off multi-genre performances Ziggy D & The Groovetones, Ragga Dee, Percussion Discussion Africa Lilly Kadima, Iryn Namubiru, Maurice Kirya, Afrigo Band, Kaz Kasozi, Vicent Segawa, Red Banton, Irene Namatovu, Sylvester & Abramz, Nilotika Cultural Ensemble, Izaya the Composer, Famous Friends, The Acient Astronauts, Giovanni & Ssewa Ssewa from Uganda.
From Tanzania, will be Swahili Ally, Isaac Abaneko, Shamsi Music from Kenya, Pseudopolis & Lewis Lowe from UK and Bolivar Mvulu from Democratic Republic of Congo/The Netherlands.
Emeka performs on stage. COURTESY PHOTO
Though music is a favoured art form, Bayimba is about a lot more art disciplines including theatre, poetry, street art and comedy.
On this front, Bakayimbira Dramactors will be on stage this year and so for Tambura Nange, Foursome Community Theatre, Mayiyirizo, Emeka & Tumu Siime, MC Ivy, Pcy, Recho Rey, Craziewispa & Sandra from Uganda and Feminist Utopua and Writer’s Clinic-Ukhona Ntsali Mlandu from South Africa.
Racheal Magoola on stage with Kas Kasozi. PHOTO BY ANDREW KAGGWA
There will be deejays, fashion designers, dancers, art installers, photographers and filmmakers showcasing too. The Bayimba International Festival tickets are currently available and can be accessed on the festival website using a mobile phone or computer with various online payment options including [Mobile Money, Pesapal, Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal.
Early bird tickets for a full festival pass for the four days including Camping Fees can be purchased at Shs50, 000 ($15) while a day pass can be purchased at Shs15, 000 ($4). Organisers say the offer is valid the end of the month.
Thereafter, tickets will go for Shs70, 000 ($20) and Shs20, 000 ($6) for the full festival pass and day pass respectively.