One of the night’s anticipated songs was Londa e Number Yo. The song is from 2005 but has recently become popular on Tik Tok among a cross-section of music fans, especially Gen Zs.
The adage that old is gold made all the sense for music lovers who turned up for the Tugende mu Kikadde, loosely translated as ‘let’s go groove to oldies’ because for every artiste that came on stage, and the songs they performed, there was a clear nostalgic connection expressed in excitement with loud chorused sing-alongs and ululations.
For example, one of the night’s anticipated songs was Londa e Number Yo in which the singer, Betty Mpologoma would pause mid performance for fans to sing along, and the audience was so loud and clear that you would imagine the song was released recently. The song is from 2005 but has recently become popular on Tik Tok among a cross-section of music fans, especially Gen Zs.
Another of the popular sessions was DJ 6teen’s music mix during which he took the crowd on a musical frenzy, prompting them onto their feet to dance as they sang to songs such as Obulamu Bwensi Bunyuma Kiro by Mad Tiger, Nvawo Nawe by Grace Nakimera, Abamanyi Omukwano by Geoffrey Lutaaya, Abogeezi by Henry Tigan, Bimbunyebunye by Kabuye Ssembogga, Dole Y’omwana by Lord Fred Ssebatta and Harriet Sanyu, Abalungi Balumya by Bobi Wine & Nubian Li, Engoma Yange by Karim Ssava, Wololo by Joanitta Kawalya, Kadodi sounds, Sikulimba Afrigo Band, Jangu by Obsessions and Weekend by Dream Galz.
Many revellers broke a sweat as they joyfully re-lived memories from the yesterday-year songs. Jose Chameleone picked up from the high tempo to unpack his musical catalogue from his 2006 track Kipepewo to Mama Rhoda, Mbalangire and back to some of his breakout hits suchas Nekolera Maali, Dorotia and songs that further cemented his musical career and consistency; Befuula, Bayuda, Basiima ogenze, Nkwagala Nyo and Nkoleki on which he features Melody.
Chameleone thanked Kadanke Brand House who were behind the production of the show as well as the sponsors. The clock was ticking and Ronald Mayinja, Haruna Mubiru, Stecia Mayinja, Charles Ssekyewa and Mpologoma shared a stage to perform alongside each other, dramatising their songs much to the audience’s delight.
For example, Stecia and Ssekyewa who were once a couple in real life, took jibes at each other using lyrics of songs such as their 2010 song titled Wabanswaliza. One of the night’s acts, Godfrey Kajubi Kibijigiri had set the stage for such drama with his enthralling frolics as he sought to bring his cheeky lyrics to life.
His performance was preceded by that of Sister Charity (Kobutungi) whose Grade still gets her fans off their sits and onto the dancefloor. Well, at 20 minutes past midnight when the night’s emcee, Omulangira Ndaus, announced the music show over and wished revellers a good night and reminded them about Lord Fred Ssebatta’s concert this weekend. Many, however, were still charged up for more and expressed their desire.
His relentless message during the music fete was to bring back good music because it has lost its path in light of artistes who have carved out a career by outing vulgar songs.
Tugende Mu Kikadde is an idea by Patrick Kalungi, a young man with a soul for old music as a vehicle of preserving Uganda’s timeless music.
