Afrigo marks 50 years in night of reverie
The birth of Afrigo band can be traced as far back as the mid-60s, during the time of the late Tony Ssenkebejje’s Cranes band.
When Cranes band, a resident band at the now defunct White Nile bar in Katwe, Kampala, first split up, there were efforts to regroup with Ssenkebejje on the rhythm guitar, Sam Kawuma on drums, John Clyde Mayanja the band organiser, Joseph Mungaya on the solo guitar, and later Charles Ssekyanzi as a vocalist.
Afrigo band’s leader Moses Matovu, 76, recalls that at the time, Cranes band lacked enough instruments to compete with the rest of the Congolese bands then.
“We then sought permission from the manager of White Nile bar to allow us use the old saxophone in the store. That is how I started learning how to play a saxophone, with the help of Akiiki Bulegeya, who was part of the Police band then,” Matovu said.
Later in 1975, after the temporary closure of Cranes band, amidst uncertainty Matovu, Charles Ssekyanzi, Jeff Ssewava, Fred Luyombya, Anthony Kyeyune, Paul Serumaga, Paddy Nsubuga and Geofrey Kizito decided to continue playing, morphing into a new outfit, Afrigo band.
As time flew by, the band recruited more talented musicians including Godfrey Mwambala, Tony Sengo, Joanita Kawalya, Harriet Kiwanuka, Harriet Mpagi, Racheal Magoola, Herman Ssewanyana, Frank Mbalire, Eddy Ganja, Deo Mukungu and Fred Kigozi among others, treating their fans over the years to some of their all-time classics like Oswadde nyo, Nantongo, Twali Twagalana, Jim, Speed Control, Olumbe Lw’obwavu, Afrigo Batuuse, Emmere Esiridde, Sirina Anantwala, among many others.
The band was originally called “Afri-GO,” short for “Africa Go Forward.” It was a message of hope and progression. Unlike many other acts of the time, Afrigo did not focus on just entertainment – they emphasized instrumental excellence, live performance, and Afrocentric storytelling.
Their early music blended influences from Congolese soukous, jazz, Caribbean beats, and traditional Ugandan melodies.
“Afrigo brought a sophistication we had not seen before,” says veteran broadcaster Tony Geoffrey Owana.
“They were tight. Their sound was clean. And they dressed like gentlemen. It was a different standard.”
As Uganda transitioned through the 1980s and 1990s, so did Afrigo. The band adapted, evolved, and innovated. And last Saturday night marked the band’s golden jubilee with a grand concert at the Millennium grounds, drawing thousands of fans who braved a rainy evening to celebrate 50 years of the enduring group.
Despite a steady drizzle that turned sections of the grounds muddy, the turnout was massive, with fans filling every corner to witness history. Umbrellas and raincoats dotted the crowd, with scores covering their shoes with green polyethene bags.
But the weather did little to dull the excitement – instead, it added to the sense of intimacy and resilience that have always defined Afrigo band. The evening opened with a vibrant performance by Abeeka Band, who warmed up the audience.
Abeeka left the stage at 9:30pm, leaving the stage to show host Douglas Lwanga, who kept the party organised by Talent Africa Group going. At 10pm, Moses Matovu, Racheal Magoola, Joanita Kawalya, Charles Busuulwa, Frank Mbalire, Herman Ssewanyana, Sarah Namulondo, and others, all wearing black and gold, took to the stage to deafening applause.
The party officially started and fans danced and sang along to Jim, performed by the elegantly dressed Kawalya, Racheal Magoola’s Emaali and Obangaina, Amazzi G’enyama, Nantongo, and Afrigo Batuuse, among others.
The biggest highlight came with the guest performance of Congolese superstar Koffi Olomide. Dressed in his signature flamboyant style, the King of Tcha Tcho stormed the stage to wild applause, delivering hits like Loi and Papa Ngwasuma, and Ekotite, before joining Afrigo for a once-in-a-lifetime collaboration.
Worth noting is how the sound completely improved when Olomide’s backline took over, which confirms the notion that Congolese musicians have since mastered the technique of good sound.
Olomide’s deep baritone and infectious rhythms fused seamlessly with Afrigo’s sound, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Speaking during the show, Matovu said the milestone belonged not only to the band but also to Uganda’s music lovers who have stood by them through changing times.
Olomide paid tribute to Afrigo, calling their longevity “a remarkable achievement that many aspire to but few attain.”
As the final notes melted into the Kampala cold night and applause thundered one last time, a truth lingered: this was more than an anniversary concert. It was a coronation of legacy, a reminder that Afrigo band is an eternal rhythm etched into Uganda’s soul.
atiluknathan@gmail.com
Related
