Afrigo Band

The Afrigo Band is a musical band in Uganda. It is the longest-lasting musical group in the history of Uganda, having existed for 44 years by August 2019.[1][2][3][4]

Afrigo Band
Also known asAfrigo
OriginKampala - Uganda
GenresAfrican Rumba
Kidandali
Jazz
Years active1975 (1975) – Present (Present)
MembersJoanita Kawalya, Rachel Magoola, Moses Matovu, Herman Ssewanyana
Past membersFrank Mbalire

History

The band was formed by a group of eight musicians led by their band leader, vocalist, and alto saxophonist, Moses Matovu,[5] who continued to lead the band on its 38th anniversary.[2][4] Playing to their fans at home in Uganda, the group tours regularly in Europe and the United States to play to Ugandans in the Diaspora.[6] He has been performing with the band since and is its leader, as of February 2015.[3] The eight founding band members were:[7]

Band members

As of January 2015, all except one of the founding band members had died. The band recruited replacements whenever a member left or died. Members of the band, past and present, include:[2][3][5]

  • Moses Matovu - Founder member, band leader, saxophonist, lead vocals, composer
  • Herman Ssewanyana - Congas
  • Charles Ssekyanzi Mutagubya - Vocalist, trumpet player, composer[8]
  • Mansur Bulegeya Akiki - Tenor saxophonist
  • Joanita Kawalya - Vocalist, dancer
  • Rachael Magoola - Vocalist, dancer, Composer
  • Rashid Musoke (RIP) - member
  • Paul Serumaga (RIP) - Founder member
  • Godfrey Mwambala - member
  • Tony Sengo - member
  • Tonny Ssenkebejje - Solo guitarist (left)
  • Fred Kigozi - member
  • Peter Bazanye - Vocals
  • Joe Tabula - Vocals
  • Frank Mbalire Guitarist/Vocals (left)
  • Edmond Ganja - Guitarist/Vocals
  • Sammy Kasule - Bassist/Vocals
  • Charles Busuulwa - Bassist
  • Eric Sabiiti - Drummer
  • Julious Nshaba - Drummer
  • Daniel Kaggwa - Keyboards
  • Isaac Zzimbe - Drummer (left)
  • Jacinta Wamboga - Dancer
  • Sarah Namiyonga - Dancer
  • Aminye Rhoose - Dancer

Discography

Some of the records and albums released by the band include the following:[2][3][4][5]

YearName of RecordComposer
Afrigo Batuuse
Akola BwenkanyaCharles Ssenkyanzi
MusaCharles Ssenkyanzi
EnneyisaCharles Ssenkyanzi
Rose GumaCharles Ssenkyanzi
OnnemyeCharles Ssenkyanzi
NnemeddwaCharles Ssenkyanzi
ObangainaRachael Magoola
Sipiidi Kendeeza
Olumbe Lwo'bwaavu
Sikulimba (Olunderebu)

Recent developments

In January 2015, Afrigo Band began regular performances at Club Silk, in Kampala's Industrial area, every Friday evening. Although the club attracts a predominantly young audience, with the arrival of Afrigo, Club Silk is expected to ring in more mature revelers, above the age of 40 years.[9] In November 2015, the band celebrated its 40th anniversary with a sold-out concert at Hotel Africana, in Kampala.[10]

See also

References
  1. Newvision Reporter, . (31 August 2013). "Celebrating Afrigo Band". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 2 February 2015.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. Ssemutooke, Joseph (October 2012). "Afrigo: Uganda's Greatest Band". New Vision Mobile (Kampala). Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  3. HiPipo Team, . (26 August 2011). "Hits That Made Them: Moses Matovu And Afrigo Band". Hipipo.com. Retrieved 2 February 2015.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. Musinguzi, Bamuturaki (12 September 2013). "Kampala's Most Resilient Band Afrigo Plays On". The EastAfrican (Nairobi). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  5. Zziwa, Hassan Badru (17 February 2013). "Afrigo: 38 And Still Counting". The Observer (Uganda). Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  6. Ortega, Ian (3 September 2013). "Afrigo Band's 38 Years Relived In One Night". Daily Monitor (Kampala). Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  7. Natukunda, Carol (30 March 2015). "At 40, Afrigo Is Still On The Go". New Vision (Kampala). Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  8. Arthur Baguma, and Herman Sentongo (5 March 2009). "Sekyanzi's Voice, Talent Will Forever Be Missed". New Vision (Kampala). Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  9. Eupal, Felix (1 February 2015). "Uganda: Afrigo Finds Home At Silk". The Observer (Uganda) via AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 2 January 2015.
  10. Kakumirizi, Michael (27 November 2015). "Uganda's Afrigo Band marks 40 years of music". The EastAfrican. Nairobi. Retrieved 28 November 2015.
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