Uganda last knew about love in the days of Adam and Kaawa, in the days of Romeo and Juliet.
But we have been blessed to have a modern version of that love. It is the love Sheilah Gashumba has for God’s Plan aka Marcus Ali Lwanga.
Gashumba is back to penning love messages to Marcus after rumours that he wanted to call it quits. Gashumba reminded Marcus that he means the entire world to her.
She almost sang him the famous song line; “bwogeeza nondekaawo nja kwekola ekintu.”
Sheilah Gashumba keeps reminding the world that God’s Plan took her from hell all the way into the villages of Heaven. Whatever she dreamed of, God’s Plan made it a reality…
Former BigEye.ug writer and journalist, Jonah Kirabo is set to represent Uganda in a Turkish annual leadership conference, this website has confirmed.
Named LOCALINTERNational Conference, the programme gathers recent university graduates every year in Turkey’s capital city; Ankara as well as other cities in Turkey such as Istanbul among others to provide graduates with local governance training through instructions, practical governance and field visits including social activities and trips within Turkey and all expenses are covered by Turkey’s Union of Municipalities.
This will be the first time that a Ugandan is selected to attend this conference that happens every year since 2012.
An excited Jonah Kirabo took to his social media to announce the milestone saying that he owes his success to God as over 10 Ugandan’s applied for the opportunity but it was only him that was chosen.
“Proud to be the first ever Ugandan to be selected to attend the LOCALINTERNational Conference that is hosted annually in Turkey since 2012. Over 10 Ugandans applied this year but I was the only one who was selected to join the other 41 recent graduates from Europe, Asia, South American and Africa,” Jonah said in part.
He told this website that he hopes to use the skills from the conference to boast his journalism and leadership skills when he is back.
The conference will take place in Turkey between 18th – 29th August 2019.
*About Jonah Kirabo*
Aged 22, Jonah Kirabo is a recent graduate of Business Administration from Makerere University.
Despite pursing a business degree, Jonah has always had a passion for journalism and leadership. While at Campus, he worked as news reporter for several blogs and local websites including BigEye.ug and Campus Eye before joining the Nile Post where he is currently employed.
He is also a current student of journalism and media at the Kansanga based Media Challenge Initiative.
Not so often do we have artistes from the horn of Africa penetrate into East Africa, after Eritrean singer Sammy is Tomy Plus who has gone against all odds to break into the very competitive East African music industry. Tomy Plus despite his short stay in the industry is impressively amazing as two of his many songs “She don’t like” and “Zena Larigat” are enjoying Massive airplay in Uganda and East Africa, not something easy.
Tomy Plus is greatly aided by his dancing talent exhibited in his videos and makes them appealing to his fans. Tomy is slowly gaining favour and following into East Africa and Uganda particularly.
Who is Tomy Plus?
Tomy Plus real name Tomas Hailu is Ethopian aged 27 and is both a singer and dancer. His singing career started three years ago and has since done so many songs but most notably She don’t like and Zena Larigat that were done in Uganda.
He has been in Uganda three times on mission to connect with East African Countries musically as well as promoting Ethiopian Music Industry.
Tomy Plus started as a cultural dancer. He’s currently doing modern dance while singing.
He’s inspired by Chris Brown and Eddy Kenzo in Uganda.
He has performed on many big concerts in Ethiopia among them is Habesha in Ethiopia which he shared same stage with Eddy Kenzo.
Singer Beckie 256 has a had a come back after some time in the chill zone. The female singer has released two songs that could see her retain her spot on the dance floor making her fans and music lovers fall prey.
Ogamba Otya and Sikuwalana are the two latest releases from Beckie 256. While Sikuwalana is a duo featuring producer and singet Daddy Andre, Ogamba Otya is a single and Beckie 256 will make you grooves to this.
Watch Ogamba Otya lyrics here https://youtu.be/z-kvIw1KKtQ
On Friday, UK-based Ghanaian artist Eugy brought a huge portion of his afro-inspired musical finesse to Kampala’s top happening nightspot, Club Guvnor for the DJ Snap Off party.
The Industrial based night club hosted the musical artist as their headlining act while celebrating three years of their exclusive popular DJ Snap Off series powered by Singleton.
Kampala party animals could not contain their excitement as the star attraction of the night, Eugy walked through the entrance with the air of “party time” bouncing from all over the walls of the night club welcoming him to Kampala night life.
Eugy treated his fans to a night of rap magic as well as some of his most popular Hip Hop songs such as “LoLo” “Tick Tock” “Body” not forgetting the highlight of the night, “Dance For Me” that featured Mr Eazi which sent the crowds into singsong word-for-word like a timeless classic.
The star entertainer who grew up in the UK is known to infuse and celebrate his Ghanaian roots through his music in a fun upbeat bubbly persona while also incorporating his own signature sound from his London upbringing.
DNA Lounge in Kololo was the scene of mass enjoyment on Saturday when Pallaso and his live band took the stage for the Bell Jamz Listeners Experience.
The evening got off to a slow start on account of the rain, but the venue was packed by 10 pm as Team Good Music and Leone Island warmed the stage right before Pallaso delivered an electrifying performance of all his hits.
A surprise guest performance from songstress Spice Diana ensured the crowd kept on their feet as the mood was set for an evening of dancing.
During the performance, Pallaso reflected on some of his struggles before achieving success including spending time in prison as well as a particularly depressing period in 2017 after his “Soma” show at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds received an extremely low turn out.
The evening was made extra special as a result of the presence of Pallaso’s mother. Pallaso gave a hearty tribute to his mother with the song Mama, which he used to urge the emotional crowd to appreciate their mothers.
The Bell Jamz Listeners Experience was launched in 2019 as a musical experience that features a Ugandan artist performing all their hits with a live band. This was the third edition, with the first being headlined by Beenie Gunter followed by Voltage Music duo, Kent and Flosso.
To many, Zari Hassan has morphed into more than just a socialite over the years, and is now a role model young Ugandan and Tanzanian girls, and Africans in general; look at for inspiration.
The 40-year-old self-proclaimed Boss Lady, who is a mother of 5, and philanthropic entrepreneur; shocked her millions of followers when she groped a male mannequin’s groins, said vulgar things, and posted on her Instagram story for everyone to watch.
“Cause he doesn’t have a dick, Norma.” Said an exuberant Zari, to her girlfriend who constantly asked her what she was doing.
On further questioning on why she was pulling its genitalia by a clearly entertained Norma, Diamond Platnumz’ ex answered in an even more cringeworthy fashion, as she viciously told the statue, “Better have some dick, Nigger.”
You could say it was nothing serious, but in all honesty, such dry humor does not become of some individuals.
A domestic worker (call it housemaid) earns an average of Shs100, 000 per month in Uganda. This means that the person earns a paltry Shs1.2m in a year despite the many needs to spend on.
On the contrary, the same worker in the Middle East countries earns an average of Shs900, 000 per month, implying that the person will bag about Shs10.8m (Ten million two hundred thousand shillings) in a year.
The wage disparity between the two countries is quite huge.
But a worker in the Middle East is entitled to other benefits as provided under the law that include free accommodation, free food, medical insurance and bonuses. When these benefits are converted into monetary terms, it’s clear the employer in Middle East countries spends so much on a domestic worker compared to Uganda.
The availability of opportunities to work as a domestic worker in Middle East countries has transformed lives of many Ugandans who had no hope of getting out of their miserable poor conditions.
They are now able to save, invest in businesses and acquire property.
Many of these are not so much educated; you just need to communicate in English and ready to work to get the job.
Factors pushing Ugandans to go work as domestic workers include poverty of the households, early pregnancies and broken families.
Domestic workers are approximately 30% of all migrant employees in the Middle East.
Uganda association for External Recruitment Agencies (UAERA) is doing a great job to ensure domestic workers from Uganda are treated well and work under better conditions.
UAERA’s cardinal objective is to keep/ get these youths off the streets, train and put them into productive employment through which they are able to contribute to nation building and development.
Given the high unemployment levels in Uganda, it is justfiavle for Ugandans to seek for greener pastures abroad.
What is important now is government to join UAERA in streamlining the externalization of labour.
Research shows that countries that have imposed restrictions on the movement of migrant workers have ended up with more of their people being trafficked and ending up in miserable situations.
It is good news that Uganda has already signed two bilateral labour agreements; with The Royal Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
Between Jan-2016 and Jul 2017, Uganda imposed a ban on externalization of domestic workers due to many reported cases in social and mainstream media of mistreatment of Ugandan girls in the host countries especially Saudi Arabia.
However, during the same period, 30,000 (Thirty thousand) Ugandan ladies were either trafficked or left on their own to Oman and other destinations.
Currently, Oman is not an authorized destination of Uganda female domestic workers. Ugandan male workers and female professionals are permitted to work anywhere in the world as long as there is proof of availability of genuine employment.
The other countries in the Middle East have also strengthened their labour laws for protection of the workers’ human rights.
These measures have in turn tremendously improved the conditions of migrant workers.
Opinion leaders like politicians, religious leaders, civil society and the general public ought to know that there’s a distinction between safe labour migration and trafficking of persons.
Trafficked people carry the risk of going to the unknown destinations and therefore end up mistreated, tortured and dead in some cases.
That’s why UAERA and government are emphasizing that Ugandans seeking jobs abroad should travel through genuine licensed companies.
Ugandans who go through members companies of UAERA are captured in the digitalized system, monitored and protected.
The government of Uganda through the Ministry of Labor and Social Development has led to the introduction of digitization that has revolutionized the processes of recruitment and monitoring of workers from Uganda in the destination countries.
Regulation and continued guidance about the industry and establishment of a labor liaison office is also a step in the right direction in as far as streamlining externalization of labour is concerned.
Mosaned, an online monitoring system that is used to manage the recruitment process was introduced as well as a four party standard employment contract which is signed by employer, employee, Source Company and Destination Company.
The labour dispute and settlement centres have also been established in several cities of Saudi Arabia manned by judges but also hefty penalties for employers who violate employees’ human rights have been put in place.
Government has also established a human rights department at the domestic center of the ministry of labour boosted by establishment of call centres to respond to labour complaints.
Establishment of Reception centers with medical facilities in major cities to cater for workers who may be distressed, stranded or unwell are also in place.
It’s also compulsory for a domestic worker to be provided with a mobile phones so that they can easily and freely communicate with their people back home.
Termination of the contract is also acceptable in case either party is not satisfied with the terms and conditions of the contract.
Lastly, there is provision of return air tickets by the government of Saudi Arabia to returning workers who may find challenges and are compelled to leave the country as well as compulsory opening of bank accounts for all migrant workers and payment of wages through the banks.
Challenges to the Industry
Adventurers
These are youth who venture on their own to find jobs abroad. They travel on tourists /Visit visas and many of them fail to get the jobs before the expiry of their visas.
Others run out of money and get stranded, send messages on social media about torture and cause public anxiety.
Human Trafficking
Due to lack of information about formal channels of getting employment abroad, many youths are lured by human traffickers , who smuggle the victims and end up in difficult situations in countries of destination.
Negative Publicity
As a result of human trafficking and adventurism, the media portrays labour externalization as risky, dangerous and fake.
UAERA has strengthened the secretariat to sensitize the public about the externalization of labour; it is safe and paying if one goes through licensed companies.
The ongoing Mirinda Miss Teen campaign themed “Surprise and Be Surprised” has seen girls from different schools around Uganda take part and showcase their creative, ambitious and fashionable talent in a fun and positive way.
The Mirinda Miss Teens school tour that was launched in May has created a
stage for girls aged 13 to 19 to participate in the different categories including Miss Teen, Miss Fashionista and Miss Ambitious whereby three individuals are selected per category for the overall winner, 1 st position and 2nd position respectively.
The Tours that kicked off at Hana International on 1 st June 2019 have seen
schools take part including; Rubaga Girls, Seeta High School, St Peters Nsambya, and on a regional level, those in Masaka and Bushenyi have been
covered.
The judges are looking out for; a girl who is beautiful inside and out, talented, fun, cultured and intelligent for the Miss Teens Category. A girl who knows her career goals and how she can achieve them for the Miss Ambitious Category, and Miss Fashionista category looks out for a girl with a distinct fashion sense, one who can creatively put together an outfit using the material she is given.
Kwerit Sarah a student at Nabisunsa Girls, who scooped the Miss Ambitious
title remarked, “…I and my friends embarked on a project to tackle climate change as a way of preserving our environment through recycling plastic. We are working on a website which is yet to go live.”
While giving her verdict to one of the contestants at Nabisusnsa Girls yesterday, Ms. Patience Aheebwa one of the judges remarked that “…we are
looking for a girl who is confident, intelligent, and ambitious, through empowerment and being mentored.”
Ms. Tracy Kakuru the Corporate Communications Manager at CBL remarked that Mirinda Miss Teens is a confidence building platform for girls aged 13 to 19 years. The contest does not only seek for beauty, but a girl who her peers can look up to.
“A cash prize of up to Ugx10 Million will be rewarded inform of school fees for the different contestants, in addition 4 winners will travel to the best
amusement park in the world, the destination will be revealed at the grand
finale,” added Ms. Kakuru.
The grand finale will be held on 7th September, where overall winners from different participating schools will battle amongst themselves for the prizes.
It is clear the Ugandan music industry grows everyday and that comes with new entrants and recordings. BigEye.ug introduces the latest female music entrant and on authority backs the singer for greater heights considering her unmatches talent.
Posha is a female singer attached to GangLito entertainment as record label, a label that managea her music and career. Posha has already released two singles “Tell me” and another “Sure Win”
Posha’s single Tell Me was produced and recorded at Avie Records by Dr Fizo
Fresh reports coming in indicates how young rapper Fresh Kid is currently shading tears after his USA Music tour being cancelled because his father Paul Mutabaazi who insisted on going with him.
According to his mother Madrine Namata, Fresh Kid was supposed to travel to USA for a music tour on 6th July but this has been cancelled only because Paul Mutabaazi insisted that he also wants a Visa and Ticket to travel with his son.
“That man is too much, he is killing all my son’s blessings, he has insisted on traveling to USA with him and now the promoter has cancelled the show. No one like that man but all he does is kill my kid’s future and now i don’t know what to do for him. He is too much, i need help.” Fresh Kid UG’s mother cried out.
All roads led to the Parliamentary Avenue based La Paroni’s bar as music star Sheebah Karungi launched her new song, Onkutudde.
And boy, the much-anticipated song video was on point and had the female star’s fans dancing and grooving all night. Sheebaholics, as they are widely known partied all night as the TNS star performed for fans.
Before she stepped on stage, there were curtain raisers from TNS who included Topic Kasente, Roden Y Kabako, new kid on the block Grenade and the sexy Carol Nantongo before Sheebah killed it.
“Last Night Was So Perfect! Thank You All for Coming #ONKUTUDDE Video
Officially Out,” Sheebah posted after premiering the video.
Uganda will be facing off with Zimbabwe in a crucial match that could seal our fate.
If Uganda wins, it will automatically qualify for the next round of Afcon games.
Vision Group CEO, Robert Kabushenga has ordered all staff to show up in a full Cranes jersey. He has instituted punitive action for those who fail to comply.
We are just hoping this directive comes with a jersey allowance.
Marc Du Toit, the Head of Retail at Knight Frank Uganda addresses media.
By Our Reporter
Metroplex Shopping Mall in Naalya is set for redevelopment. This after it was sold off to Gateway Delta, a Mauritian real estate development company.
This was announced by Marc Du Toit, the Head of Retail at Knight Frank Uganda who were charged with management of the mall and also brokered the purchase deal.
“Knight Frank Uganda is pleased to announce the sale of Metroplex Shopping Mall to Gateway Delta. Gateway Delta have purchased Metroplex Shopping Mall as a redevelopment opportunity.” Marc Du Toit told media during a press briefing held at Golden Tulip hotel on Tuesday.
According to Pumi Lukhele, the Development Manager at Gateway Delta, negotiations for the acquisition of the mall have already been finalized and approximately US$20 million earmarked for the project.
“We are currently finalizing the acquisition of Metroplex Shopping Mall and local consultants have already been appointed to commence with the redevelopment process.” Pumi Lukhele revealed. “The interior of the mall itself will receive a major revamp, including realignment of the mall for improved visibility.”
The mall will be revamped into a shopping and entertainment hub hosting diverse leisure and entertainment offerings, grocery stores, cafés and restaurants and a diverse array of fashion stores among others.
French based supermarket, Carrefour, who recently announced their entry into Uganda has already booked to become the anchor tenant. Other international retailers including Woolworths, Bata, Aga Khan, and Pep among others are also said to have shown interest in opening outlets at the mall.
The mall is expected to officially open in April 2020.
It was joy and excitement as the 2019 Miss Uganda finalists were unveiled on Tuesday evening.
The 22 finalists who were selected from different regions across the country were revealed during the presentation night hosted in the Rwenzori ballroom at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
Despite a delayed start, the jam-packed hall was filled with exuberance with several individuals in the audience armed with placards, pictures and some even donning t-shirts of their favorite contestants as they eagerly waited to cheer them on.
And when Cleopatra Koheirwe, the emcee of the evening, started calling out the contestants, the room was filled with deafening screams and cheers.
One by one, the Miss Uganda hopefuls cat-walked on the runway and were each followed by acclamations from the audience.
The contestants will now head to a boot camp where they will take part in a series of buildup activities to ready them to take on the mantle of Miss Uganda.
Organised by Kezzi Entertainment, who are the franchise holders of the Miss World Pageant for Uganda since 2011, in partnership with Talent Africa, the next Miss Uganda will be crowned on July 27th at Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
One of the best comedy duos in Uganda Madrat and Chiko are in high gears as their Comedy show dubbed Nsekobuseko returns. Nsekobuseko show will return with the third edition on August 2 and it will be at a new venue.
The comedians confirmed in an interview that the show will move from Imperial Royal Hotel to a new venue which is UMA Multipurpose Hall. The show that will be hosted by Alex Muhangi will also have a musical performance form singer Cinderella Sanyu and her band commonly known as Band Cindy.
The comedy show as usual will be headlined by only Madrat and Chiko who will step on stage as early as 8pm and perform till later without any other comedian apart from Muhangi who is the host.
After the main show that will take place on August 2, the Nsekobuseko show will continue in places like Mukono Collin Hotel and Big Zone in Nansana.
Joel Sebunjo celebrates Africanism as he pays tribute to the great African liberators, leaders, and icons in his new song titled ‘Independance’. Watch the video here first:
Joel Sebunjo is one of the most recognized folk music artistes allover the world. His talent has seen him perform at several global stages and win numerous awards as well as international recognition.
The multi-instrumentalist and Kora maestro depicts his gratitude to the compatriots in Africa who sacrificed the most to ensure Africans’ freedom.
Not so often do we have artistes from the horn of Africa penetrate into East Africa, after Eritrean singer Sammy is Tomy Plus who has gone against all odds to break into the very competitive East African music industry. Tomy Plus despite his short stay in the industry is impressively amazing as two of his many songs “She don’t like” and “Zena Larigat” are enjoying Massive airplay in Uganda and East Africa, not something easy.
Singer Beckie 256 has a had a come back after some time in the chill zone. The female singer has released two songs that could see her retain her spot on the dance floor making her fans and music lovers fall prey.
Fresh reports coming in indicates how young rapper Fresh Kid is currently shading tears after his USA Music tour being cancelled because his father Paul Mutabaazi who insisted on going with him.
One of the best comedy duos in Uganda Madrat and Chiko are in high gears as their Comedy show dubbed Nsekobuseko returns. Nsekobuseko show will return with the third edition on August 2 and it will be at a new venue.
Joel Sebunjo celebrates Africanism as he pays tribute to the great African liberators, leaders, and icons in his new song titled ‘Independance’. Watch the video here first: