Fallen artistes remembered
The congregation of artistes and entertainers light candles in remembrance of their deceased colleagues. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
What you need to know:
Though many musicians and other members of the entertainment industry were invited to the service, only a handful like Bobi Wine, Joanita Kawalya, Andrew Benon Kibuuka and Haman Arnold Kinobe of Alina Talent Uganda turned up
St Matia Mulumba Parish Church at Old Kampala held a service, in the spirit of commemorating, celebrating and thanksgiving for the lives of the deceased entertainers last Tuesday. It was organised by St Matia Mulumba Morning Star and Aloysious Junior Matovu and Aloysious Joy Matovu.
“We are here to pray for and remember artistes who spent most of their time entertaining us because most of their works don’t have schedules for prayers to interact with God. We pray that even as they are long gone, they may have God’s mercies,” said Rev. Fr Joseph Mary Sebunya, who led the two-hours’ evening service.
Though many musicians and other members of the entertainment industry were invited to the service, only a handful like Bobi Wine, Joanita Kawalya, Andrew Benon Kibuuka and Haman Arnold Kinobe of Alina Talent Uganda turned up.
“Many entertainers passed on but the talent in them was God-given. We praise them because they set the foundation on which we are walking. We not only pray for the deceased but even the present and those to come,” said Andrew Benon Kibuuka, president of artistes in Uganda, citing that creative industry is the biggest employer of youth in the world.
Those whose souls were prayed for included among others, Philly Bongole Lutaaya, Elly Wamala, Paul Kafeero, Herman Basudde, Jimmy Katumba, Fred Mayiso, Martin Angume, Paddy Bitama, Jimmy Lamo, Ephraim Kadoma, Eclass Kawalya, Cissy Muwanga, Dick Katende, Byron Kawadwa, Stephen Kyeyune, Carol Nakimera, Livingstone Kasozi, Sarah Birungi, George William Kakoma, Evaristo Muyinda and Tony Sengo. The list generated more than 300 fallen artistes but others like Israel Magembe Wamala were remembered for having introduced band music in Uganda.
Aloysious Matovu Junior said the service, which was the beginning of an annual requiem mass for the departed, will provide a platform to meet as artistry to unite, other than meeting before a corpse at vigils. “The service wasn’t meant for specific people. It was for everyone to converge under one roof to remember and pray for our departed colleagues. We are happy that those we called responded, though not in bigger numbers,” Matovu said.
