With about 20 albums to his name, Sebatta has triumphed where others have failed and walked home with Shs50m as he emerged winner of the intensely contested Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) Kadongo Kamu competition that had its finale held at Kololo Airstrip recently.
Alongside 25 stars in the competition, it is a musical walk back to the good old Kadongo Kamu days.
Other finalists included Mariam Namubiru, Billy Katumba alias Kasodde, Matia Luyima, Ibra Fire, Daddy Isaac, Junior Jemba, Willy Mukaabya, Baby Reagan, Scovia Birungi, Fred Baingana, Engineer Mark, Alice Nassimbwa, Fred Ssebaale. Geoffrey Sembite, Ssalongo Dan Mugula, Joshua Kayondo, Amir Ssengendo, Mzeei Mayambala Sekasi, Kennedy Muwanguzi “Omuzibe” Sereste Kasule and Gold Ki-Matono Opeto.
This was the experience for the revellers that braved the cold to be part of the all-Kadongo Kamu music fete sponsored by the government programme.
Each song as artiste after another came on stage, took averagely 10 minutes as they shared messages through deep lyrics and emphatic verbal, melodic expression, dealing with subjects like love, politics, woman emancipation, history among other topics.
The mention of his name elicits a mention of Kadongo Kamu music genre, the local ‘one-beat’ music version of the popular country music. Lord Fred Sebatta is one of the surviving icons of Kadongo Kamu but even as the genre weakens both in content and listenership the musical lord is still going strong.
He is a celebrity in a world where big cars and houses are nothing to floss about but where music is meant to cause social change. His is a humble world just like his beginnings as an artiste.
Before Sebatta took the bold step to record his first album, which he titled Sam Wange in 1981, he was a music fan just like you and me.
Guest of Honour Rt Hon Rebecca Kadaga handed over a dummy cheque to the singer who was all over the moon jubilating with his wife.
The day started with the finalists who had a task to electrify both thousands of supporters that filled up the airstrip and the panel of Judges.
Vicent Segawa was the first runners up getting Shs25m followed by Silivesta Busulwa and Mathias Walukaga were also awarded Shs15m and Shs10m respectively.
The competition returns next year.
