Afrigo Band

Afrigo Band: Early Years The origins of the Afrigo Band trace back to The Cranes, one of Uganda's most popular bands during the sixties and ea... Read more

Uganda

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Afrigo Band: Early Years

The origins of the Afrigo Band trace back to The Cranes, one of Uganda's most popular bands during the sixties and early seventies. Following the release of their hit album "Ten Hits" in 1974, The Cranes disbanded due to internal conflicts. In the aftermath, several former members, including Moses Matovu, formed the Afriraha Band. This group's name was later changed to Afrigo (meaning "Africa go forward") in August 1975. The founding members were Moses Matovu, Jeff Ssewava, Charles Ssekyanzi, Paulo Sserumaga, Paddy Nsubuga, Fred Luyombya, Anthony Kyeyune, and Geoffrey Kizito. Except for Matovu and Jeff Ssewava, who now resides in Germany, all original members have since passed away. The band officially debuted on November 1, 1975, performing at the Bat Valley bar/restaurant, which later became Little Flowers on Bombo Road in Kampala. Eventually, the Afrigo Band was invited by Tendo Kabanda, the manager of Cape Town Villas, to perform at his popular waterfront venue on Lake Victoria.

A Prominent Fan

One Sunday, then-President Idi Amin heard the band playing at Cape Town Villas and was immediately captivated by their music. Following this initial encounter, a representative of the president invited the Afrigo Band to become his personal house band, an offer they couldn't refuse. From 1976 onwards, the Afrigo Band was under contract to the President, with its members receiving a fixed monthly salary. They continued to perform at Cape Town Villas until Amin was deposed in April 1979.

Starting Anew

Following the deposition of Idi Amin, Uganda experienced a tumultuous period marked by widespread looting. As Amin's former house band, the Afrigo Band was not spared; they were robbed of all their instruments and had to begin anew. After several months of inactivity, they encountered Omar Mattar, who assisted them in reacquiring a significant portion of their stolen instruments.

The First Recordings

In 1980, the Afrigo Band traveled to Nairobi for their first recording session. Due to their inexperience, the quality of these recordings was only moderate. However, the band made their first high-quality recordings during a subsequent visit to Europe and the UK. This trip was facilitated by fellow musician Hope Mukasa, who had settled in Sweden and owned a well-equipped recording studio.

Breakthrough

In this Swedish studio, the Afrigo Band recorded one of their most successful albums, *Vol. 8: Afrigo Batuuse II*. Released in 1989, the album caught the attention of British music promoters and led to the band's first tour of the UK. Subsequently, they visited Denmark, where they performed at a festival and recorded another album. This period became the most successful in the band's history, highlighted by the release of the album featuring the hit song "Jim." This song topped the Ugandan charts for three months and sold over 500,000 cassettes in Uganda alone.

Afrigo Today

Today, Afrigo Band is more active than ever. In November 2021, the band celebrated its 47th anniversary. Founder and bandleader Moses Matovu, now 72 years old, remains at the heart of the band. However, attributing the band's nearly 50-year longevity solely to Matovu would be a mistake. According to him, the real reason lies in the professional discipline and dedication of everyone involved in the band. The key principle is that the band's collective success always takes precedence over individual members.

A testament to the band's strong organization and professional environment is the involvement of vocalist Rachel Magoola, who, despite being a member of the Ugandan parliament, contributes to the performances just like everyone else. Her high-profile status off-stage is not evident during performances.

Afrigo Band employs over 100 workers and has navigated through various musical formats, from long-playing vinyl records (LPs) and cassette tapes to compact discs (CDs) and now digital formats. They have released more than 20 albums, including *Afrigo Batuuse I*, *Jim*, *Genda Osome*, *Vincent*, *Mp’Eddembe*, *The Best of Afrigo*, and *Julie*. Their 1994 album *Omutanda Gyali* was the first CD produced by a Ugandan band.

While the band’s music is heavily influenced by Congolese Rumba, they also play reggae and African dance music incorporating Ugandan traditional rhythms and folk songs. They sing primarily in Luganda but also in other local Ugandan languages and Swahili. However, as James Wasula laments, the national identity of Ugandan music remains elusive: "You hear music, for example, High Life and you can tell it is Ghanaian music and Soukous is Congolese music, but we are still struggling to find what Ugandan music should be."

he original band members

Moses Matovu: He came up with the band’s name ‘Afrigo,’ which is a short form of their self-motivating slogan, ‘Africa-Go in music.’ Matovu took over band leadership from Sewava and is the remaining member of the pioneers and one of three band directors alongside James Wasula and Sam ‘Kapeera’ Tamale. Apart from being the band’s lead vocalist right from its inception, Matovu also plays the flute but is best known as the unrivaled saxophone maestro. Also an accomplished composer, Matovu is the brains behind some of the band’s biggest hits such as Nantongo, Sirina Anantwala, Afrigo Batuuse 1, Speed, Bagikwongere, Mundeke, Tondeka Awaka, Ngenze, N’ono and Sirina Reverse among others.

Jeff Sewava: The founding band leader, Sewava, led the split from Cranes band months before the formation of Afrigo. He was a saxophonist and a vocalist but left the band towards the end of 1977 and relocated to Germany, where he lives to date. He is best remembered for composing Betty, a popular song then.

Charles Sekyanzi (RIP): A trumpeter, Sekyanzi’s was one of the most recognizable figures in the band due to his sheer vocal refinement. His calm style endeared him to fans and rubbed off well Matovu’s precise singing on several hits. He composed songs like Musa, Rose Guma and Onnemye, but his Enneeyisa stands out to this day as one of the band’s greatest hits. Sekyanzi Died in March 2009.

Paddy Nsubuga (RIP): A vocalist, he also played the rhythm guitar. Nsubuga stepped out of the shadows in 1985 with his composition Express, a hit that celebrated Express FC’s Uganda Cup triumph that year. Nsubuga passed away in the late 1980s.

Anthony Kyeyune : Originally the band technician, Kyeyune learnt on the job to become a trupeter. He left in the 1980s and became a businessman.

Fred Luyombya (RIP): Luyombya was the band’s bass guitarist and lent his vocals on several hits. His biggest composition was the hit Christine, in the late 70s. He left the band in the 1980s and

Passed away in the late 80s.

Paul Serumaga (RIP): The multi-talented Serumaga made his name as a lead guitarist as well as a vocalist. But for all his attributes, his Oswadde Nnyo remains one of the most popular hits the band has ever made. He passed away in 1989.

Former members through the years

Rachael Magoola: Joined Afrigo in 1989 as a singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2001 Rachel launched her own group and recorded several albums including: Inhaife (1997), Tyenda Wundi (1998), Tonyiiga (2000), Atubembe (2001), Songs from the Source of the Nile (2005) and Eisadha (2008). Her compositions contain elements of languages and traditional rhythms from all regions of Uganda, as well as reggae and zouk. In the 2021 general election she was elected to Parliament, as the women's representative in Bugweri District, for the National Resistance Movement.

Joanita Kawalya:

Billy Mutebi (RIP): He joined in the late 1970s and became lead guitarist. Also a vocalist, Mutebi moved to Sweden where he teamed up with several Ugandan musicians such as Philly Lutaaya and Sammy Kasule. Among his popular compositions while in Afrigo are Olumbe Lw’obwavu, Ebizibu, Zalwango and Ekitiibwa Kyo. He returned to the country in the late 1980s but died in 1989.

Frank Mbalire: He joined in the late 70s as a rhythm guitarist but later moved to the Thames band, from where he composed Bamuleete and the popular Sirikusuula. He relocated to Sweden before

returning to Afrigo Band. However in 2009, Mbalire left Afrigo to form Misty Jazz Band, which also has Matuvo and had made Kampala Casino their home.

Godfrey Mwambala (RIP): He joined the group in the late 1970s as a keyboard player but because the band had no keyboard, he became the band’s drum player following the departure of Gerald Naddibanga to Sweden. Mwambala also became one of the group’s composers and some of his hits include Jim, Mp’eddembe, Julie and Obutonde Bwensi, among others. He died in 1996.

Gerald Naddibanga: Arguably the best drummer to come out of Uganda, Naddibanga joined in the late 1970s. He also had his moments on the microphone, as well as doing some dancing, but he moved to Sweden in early 1980s, where he lives to date.

Deo Mukungu

Deo Mukungu joined Afrigo Band in 1987 as a guitarist and achieved his major breakthrough by composing the hit "Afrigo Batuuse II" in 1989. He relocated to the UK in the mid-90s.

Fred Kigozi (RIP)

Fred Kigozi became a member in the late 1980s as a vocalist. Some of his classic compositions include "Semuwemba" and "Prossie." He passed away in the late 90s.

Mansur Bulegeya (RIP)

Saxophonist Mansur Bulegeya joined Afrigo Band in the 1980s and passed away in 2007.

Tony Senkebejje

Tony Senkebejje, along with his wife Racheal, joined the band in the late 1980s as a bass guitarist and vocalist. His popular compositions include "Dora," "Alivawa," "Twali Twagalana," and "Jukira." The couple left in the 1990s to form Simba Sounds, a resident band at Kampala Serena Hotel.

### Tony Sengo (RIP)

Tony Sengo was a versatile musician who could play nearly any instrument but specialized in the keyboard. He joined Afrigo Band in the 1980s and composed several songs such as "Emmere Esiridde," "Kangende Nga Munonya," "Ki Kyetunonya," and "Bw’osika Ekitajja." He left in the 1990s to establish The Big Five Band, before founding his own Badindazi Band. He died in 1999.

Albert Amigo ‘Wawawa’ (RIP)

Albert Amigo, also known as ‘Wawawa,’ joined Afrigo in 1994 as a lead guitarist. He composed songs like "Safari," "Yote Bule," "Shamusha," and "Ekikere Kiri ku Mbaata." He left in the 1990s to start his own Waka Waka Band.

Dede Majoro (RIP)

Dede Majoro was a celebrated lead guitarist who joined Afrigo in the 1980s. He left in the 1990s to join Simbangoma Band and later Hope Mukasa’s Mixed Talent Band, before passing away.

Justin Matu

Justin Matu joined Afrigo in 2002 as a lead guitarist, coming from Sarah Birungi’s IRO Stars. He left the band in 2010 and relocated to the USA.

Meddie Mbaziira

Meddie Mbaziira joined Afrigo in the late 1980s, playing the trumpet and also serving as a vocalist. He composed "Sirina Musango" but later moved to Summit Band.

Rashid Musoke (RIP)

Rashid Musoke joined Afrigo Band in the late 1980s as a drummer. He passed away in May 1993.

Others who went through Afrigo band are:

Julius Jjuuko (keyboard)

Godfrey Khadume (keyboard and trumpet)

Tony Kalanzi (vocalist)

Godfrey Ngoobi (bass guitar)

Stanley Ntwatwa (drums)

Grace Lukomwa (bass guitar)

Margaret Kawalya (vocalist)

Abdul Kintu (vocalist)

Harriet Mpagi (vocalist)