Batabaire Timothy

Although I do NOT like Dr. Jose Chameleon @JChameleone because he once grabbed and painfully squeezed my left-side buttocks in a public space, I appreciate his genius stroke of leading the unification of Uganda’s pop musicians at @MatovuAfrigo Moses Matovu’s vigil. After singing his “Basiima Ogenze” and inserting lyrics that lauded the fallen legend’s saxophone playing, Chameleone asked the instrumentalists to introduce Papa Moi’s favorite song. The band, led by two sax players and a conga drums percussionist played a few bars of “Teri Mukazi Mubi.” And then he sang the first few lines. He invited Uncle P to join him on stage to sing. His little brother @pallasomusic Pallaso took the marching orders and joined him. Catherine Kusaasira @Ckusasira256 also joined and provided back-up to the brothers. Chameleone proceeded to invite @BebeCoolUG Bebe Cool to come serve the mourners. Bebe listened and joined him up on stage. And then @MesachSemakula Mesach Semakula was up on stage with a few younger singers such as Jasmine. Each musician who came on stage was given a microphone to sing. Their voices and harmony were very moving. Excited, Chameleon invited their president, Eddy Kenzo @eddykenzoficial and Eddy Yawe @EddyYawe3 . Both hearkened to his voice and joined him on stage. The stage was filled with crooning Ugandan singers of all shade and creed. I saw Dr Hilderman @HonKiyaga and Ronald Mayinja @mayinja1Ron , singing besides Hajjat Stecia Mayanja @steciamayanja and Sophie Nantongo , men and women, young and old, fat and thin, drunk and sober - all singing together in memory of a legend. They all forgot their many differences and joined together in bold music. This unity was beautiful to behold. I cried because of the beauty of spontaneous harmony and joint conviviality during grief. Although I was watching this moment very far away in exile, I was proud to be a Ugandan when I beheld Uganda’s leading artists coming together to honour a leader of the creative industry. I cried and sang along with them. This unity would not have been possible without the courageous leadership, dare and flare of Dr Jose Chameleone. So, cheer to Kamiliyoooni!