VIGA Awards: Big dogs miss top accolades

The Victorias Gospel Music Awards (VIGA Awards) recognised more than 35 different personalities in the gospel music industry. The awards, which mainly sought to recognise the big strides and achievements in the gospel music industry, attracted a large number of participants across the religious realm to Theatre Labonita in Kampala, where the ceremony took place.

The red-carpet-affair night started at about 5pm with performances on Colville Street. The guests were later ushered into the main auditorium of Theatre Labonita, where the awarding ceremony began.

The awards came with a bit of surprises as the favourites and big dogs in the gospel music fraternity failed to win any awards. Artistes like Pastor Wilson Bugembe did not win any but Judith Babirye managed only the Album of the Year award. Instead, the small and upcoming artistes bagged the awards.
The big winners of the night were fast rising acapella group, the Canaan Gents, which comprises four gentlemen. The group bagged two awards for Acapella and another for social media, given their big presence on the Internet. They later on wowed the audience with their voices as they did a piece.

Other noteworthy winners were Pastor Betty Badda, whose energising performances and colourful costumes worn by the backup dancers gave the audience something to write home about. Several other artistes like Joy Tendo, who won Female Artiste of the Year, Exodus who bagged Male Artiste of the Year, and Julie Mutetasira (Song of the year – Ssabba), among others put up very good performances.

However, in spite of the few glitches like the bad sound, and poor lighting, the awards managed to show big strides with their wide coverage of the different denominations of the gospel music industry. This time round, other religious groups were also recognised, including the Anglican, Catholic and SDA choirs.
Never the less, the organisers did a great job putting the awards together. The night was closed with a performance by Exodus, who sang Prophesy, which won the Best Video Award, among other songs.

LIST OF WINNERS
Best Song writer – Moses Ssozi
Best Video Producer – CVL Aiden
Best Audio producer –Paddy man
Best promoting Icon – We mix
Best Instrumentalist Award –Charmant
Best Dance group – Storm Riders
Acapella award – Canaan Gents
VIGA Merit Award – Bishop Senfuma
Best Catholic Choir – Devine Love
Best Adventist choir – Glorious Singer
Best Pentecostal Choir - Kigenge Holy Gate Choir
Reggae Award – Rev Edmond and Rachel
Best Hip hop Award – S4J
Best Dancehall Award – Robin son
Best RnB Artiste – Levixone
Best Traditional Artiste – Olivia Muwumba
Kadongo kamu Artiste – Joseph Ngoma
Best Afristyle – Pastor Betty Badda
Best Afro Beat Award – Gladys Mirembe
Best Upcoming Artiste – Wilson Kiggundu
New Talent Award – K-cross and Polo
Special Entity Award – Mesach Ssemakula
Best Exemplary Song – MC Africa
Gospel Legends – Pastor Simon Kayiwa
Best Collaboration Award – G-way
Worship and Praise – Pastor Robert Kayanja
Best Performer – Pastor Betty Badda
Best Diaspora Artiste – Ronnie Mukisa
Social Media Award – Canaan Gents
Best Female Artiste – Joy Tendo (pictured)
Best Male Artiste – Exodus
Video of the Year – Prophecy by Exodus
Song of the Year – Ssabba by Julie Mutessasira
Album of the Year – Okilizidwa by Judith Babirye

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