Old verses anew at kadongokamu fete

Hanny Ssensuwa wowed everybody with his guitar antics

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For another year running, kadongokamu lovers gathered to celebrate one of Uganda’s oldest music genres.
The Kadongokamu ne Buganda fests, which was last year held at Kyadondo rugby grounds, was last Friday held at Hotel Africana.

Spearheaded by renowned businessman Sir Gordon Wavamunno, the show attracted several musicians led by old timers like Matia Kakumirizi, Fred Ssebatta, Harriet Sanyu, Dan and Frida Mugula; Alice Nabatta, Hanny Ssensuwa, Matia Luyima Sauda Batenda [Nakakawa] and Willy Mukaabya.

But it was Ssensuwa’s guitar antics that had everyone feeding from his palm –as he skillfully plucked it. At some point, he surprised guests when he used bottles to play the guitar. And this earned him a tip from Wavamunno of Shs 500,000.

“He is the world’s best. He does it more than the inventor; he is so good,” said Zainab Namukuye, who was among the few teenagers who graced the show that was largely attended by older people.

Another teenager, Salamah Nagaddya, couldn’t hide contentment about the show.

“No noise but only massage, this should be declared the show of the year…,” she said.

The show also had performances from a new crop of musicians such as Kazibwe Kapo, Gerald Kiweewa, Justin Nantume, Fred Ssebbale, Fred Sseremba, Kajjubi Kibijjigiri and Basudde Junior.

Basudde, Kazibwe Kapo and Sseremba, who did his late father [Christopher Ssebadduka]’s Oluwala Olunyunyunsi, moved the crowd. Basudde brought back the memories of his father with a performance that compared favourably with Herman Basudde. Kibijjigiri’s performance, on the other hand, left the chief guest, Buganda kingdom’s information minister, Denis Walusimbi clapping throughout the entire time he spent on stage.

But backstage, some  young musicians complained that they had been sidelined.

“Even if you don’t like Walukagga, there is no way he could miss in the souvenir book…,” said Kazibwe.

The organizers had printed a book that had what they called the best kadongokamu singers ever. Most of them are dead, the likes of Ssebadduka, Livingstone Kasozi, Paul Kafeero and Basudde, among others.

“Sir Wavamunno, people who sell to you this idea misinform you – that is why the attendance is not the best. We need to advertise it so well but maybe next time, we shall be involved,” Walukagga advised the main sponsor of the evening.