For many of our Ugandan celebrities, the road to stardom wasn’t an easy one, but they had to forge ahead with determination, hard work, consistency and God’s help, and were able to make it despite all the challenges they faced.
For many of them, their stories are that of transition from grass to grace but these days, our youths are no longer patient as they wanting to be stars over night.
Here are my top five entertainers who moved from humble beginnings to the top and have affluence and might keep on rocking for years to come.
Abby Mukiibi Nkaaga
He has acted and directed over 30 local plays and owns a group known as The Afri-Talent. He is currently the most sought after Ugandan actor internationally known for his major roles in internationally acclaimed blockbuster movies like,The Last King of Scotland (2006), Sometimes in April (2005) and The Silent Army (2008). He is also a celebrated TV and Radio personality.
Anne Kansiime Kubiryaba. She is born on April 13, 1987. She is an entertainer, comedian and actress. She has been referred to as “East Africa’s Queen of comedy” by most East African entertainment gurus.
Kansiime has continued to perform and touring abroad as a standup comedian and her comedy style tends to focus on aspects of her personal life. Some of the awards she has won include, Airtel women of substance awards 2014, Beffta 2013 (best comedian) winner, Lagos International Festival 2013 (best actress) winner, social media awards (favorite celebrity) winner and African social awards Malaysia (ASAM) – 2013.
Patrick Idringi (Salvado) Patrick Idringi is a man of many hats; a telecommunications engineer, comedian, actor, father and radio presenter.
Many people don’t deviate from what they studied in schools but when he decided to resign his job at MTN to pursue a career in comedy many people thought he was running mad. The man who only dreamt about flying (Boarding the Plane) is now a regular traveler and sought after comedian abroad.
- Jose Chameleone (Joseph Mayanja) –He is an Afro-beat and Reggae musician. He is one of the most popular Ugandan musicians and enjoys strong popularity in many countries throughout Africa. He sings in Luganda, English and Swahili.
Several of his songs have yielded popular catchphrases, including Basiima Ogenze, Shida Za Dunia, Nekolera Maali and Badilisha. True to his stage name Chameleon, he indeed acts like one. He is a Moody person who will not hesitate walking away from a planned show if the quality of the sound output is poor and trust me, when he gets to that stage he truly rocks.
Bebe Cool. (Moses Ssali) He is s a top African Reggea and Ragga musician. A true entertainment “warlord” the man has been shot and seriously wounded in the past, survived the July 11, 2010 Kampala bomb blasts that killed 74 people and was involved in a nasty car accident in 2011.
Bebe Cool was winner of the artist of the year award (Uganda) at the prestigious Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM Awards). He was nominated for the Kora All-African Awards in 2003 and 2005. He has toured in the UK and the US. I once visited a studio with him, and was surprised to know that he has over 50 unreleased songs.
Dixon Okello is an events security expert.
