British PM to stay at Emin Pasha

I REST NOW, WORK LATER: Gordon (in set) seems to be saying. This is the photo of room 18 where he could stay if voted & Uganda hosts Chogm

There’s a lot of building going on in Uganda all in the name of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) this November.
New large and mid-size hotels are opening up in the capital, Kampala, and existing hotels are adding more rooms to accommodate the expected droves. But enlarging the rooms might mean nothing because the likes of the British government have demonstrated that small is beautiful and better.
I mean, Rafshizzle can exclusively reveal to you that the British Government has booked for a whole floor on the small Emin Pasha Boutique Hotel in Nakasero to house their Prime Minister during the meeting.
By that time Britain should have voted for a new PM, who is most likely to be Gordon Brown from the retiring Tony Blair’s Labour Party.
The big man will be staying in room 18, the same one where Oscar Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker slept in while here for the premiere of The Last King of Scotland.
To some this could appear a surprise but I’m not surprised because of some good reasons---first, President Museveni has ever slept here; the hotel was also chosen venue for the African premiere of the Last King of Scotland where the cast was engaged in interviews with journalists from all over the world; Whitaker and his co-actor James McAvoy alongside the film director Kevin McDonald plus author Giles Foden have slept here.
And all producers and representatives from 20th Century Fox stayed at this hotel for several days while in Kampala, and man I also found Naava Nabagesera hiding there.
She is very pregnant but doesn’t want people to see her---perhaps the hotel offers privacy.
The previous guests could have made enough publicity for Kampala’s first boutique hotel.I think, I should shift and get near Emin Pasha Hotel in time.

Mariam Ndagire into filmmaking

PHOTO: Mariam Ndagire (in red) signs autographs for her fans in Boston last week.

I believe many of you notice that there has always been a bond between movies and music.
Hollywood stars like Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Jamie Fox, 50 Cent, Ja Rule, DMX, Whitney Houston, to mention but a few have switched from movies to music or vice versa if not doing both simultaneously.
Such a wide scope of career development is what our own singer cum drama actress Mariam Ndagire has right now.
During a phone interview with Rafshizzle today, Ndagire said she has just returned from the US where she successfully performed at different shows, “but now I’m starting on the filmmaking project.”
Mariam has announced Tuesday May 8 as the date for the auditions of the actors to feature in her film. The venue is Bat Valley Theatre and guys this could be your chance to go big on the screen because Ndagire has promised that hers will be a super film to be promoted worldwide. She is looking for actors between the age of 18 and 55. You should be able to speak both Luganda and English because the film will be in English with few Luganda lines.
However, guys you don’t have to worry about the number of people who could turn-up for the auditions because Ndagire said she has more than three films ready on script and so many people stand a chance to act in one of them.
The first film is titled Down This Road I Walk.
She said it envelops numerous topics but casts more light on the issue of young girls being forced out of schools by their parents who offer them to men for marriage.

Mesach from US with new album

I love a big comeback story.
Especially if it involves Mesach Semakula, a man many people thought he is out of the 2007 music competition. You know, even one newspaper went as far as saying that Semakula had quit music to do merchandise business.
But Semakula returned from the US yesterday at 3 p.m. and the first word he told me was, “AM back and not just back but musically strong.”
You know, up to now it is only Semakula who is yet to release a song as far as the top artistes in the country are concerned. And with the Pam awards starting soon this month, we had predicted he was out.
But the 2005 Artiste of the Year has warned those who think he is out that he is back with a new album “full of hits.”
Semakula is expected to sample two of his new songs during Haruna Mubiru’s album launch tomorrow May 4 at Hotel Equatoria.
He said that after listening to everything other artistes have churned out this year, he prepared himself and now he is ready to rumble. Some of the songs were recorded in the US and some were done from his studio Khann Studios at Calendar Rest House in Makindye. Tim Kizito (USA) and Travis Kazibwe (UG) produced the songs.
He said his songs would hit the airwaves sooner than later.
Bebe Cool has Bafudde and Kiba Kibi; Chameleone has Tebaasiga Nsigo, Tingisha, and Sivio Ndivio; Bobi Wine has Kikomando and Kiwani and Ragga Dee is in the mix with Calypso and Naiga, so what has Semakula got to throw into the contest.
Watch the space!

American Idols to help Uganda

Judge Simon Cowell (Pix)

Last night during the American Idol show on M-Net, I felt good to see a clip of the reality show’s judge Simon Cowell and show host Ryan in Kenya, featuring UNICEF’s “school in a box” education kit.
Simon Cowell is known for his overly harsh reputation but he revealed his softer side while he was with those children in Kenya talking about education. I mean, the children were impecunious and what happened to Simon could have happen to any other considerate human being on meeting them.
UNICEF’s “school in the box” is an innovative way to ensure that kids receive an education no matter what circumstances they face. The kit is essentially a portable school that can teach 80 kids, for only $183 (approximately Shs318,420).
However, Simon and Ryan’s trip was part of the “Idol Gives Back” effort where the American Idol show help raise funds to avert poverty in the U.S. and Africa.
In Kenya the stars talked about their plans to help Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya because this was an East African trip. They talked about poverty in East Africa as a whole but they mostly stressed the issue of Aids in Uganda. Uganda has for many years a giant in the fight against the pandemic and there has been no time when it has missed out on the list of the best countries in combating HIV/Aids.
Meanwhile, the previous American Idol show had footages of Simon playing with underprivileged children in Gabon. He gave them books, chalk, mathematics sets and all the school equipments would imagine.
Big celebrities, from actors to singers and tycoons have already joined the project.
And the public can be involved directly involved during the April 24-25 show. This is how it worked: for each vote sent on April 24, a donation was made to fight poverty, and on April 25 viewers phoned in their donations directly.American Idol has 35 million viewers, and to reach the target amount $50 million (approximately Shs87 billion), that’s just $1.42 (Shs2,470.8) per viewer. That is very achievable.

Ouma blasts Amon again!

While on his trip to Uganda recently, boxer Kassim Ouma emphasised on his eternal/strong love for “all Ugandans” wherever he went.
“I love you all, Ugandans” became his cliché.
However, there is one gentleman (Rafshizzle is sure) Ouma can never love or at least have good words for.
From the headline you already know I’m talking about Amon Lukwago, ex-boyfriend of Ouma’s girlfriend Juliana Kanyomozi and father of her son Keron.
Juliana had earlier told Rafshizzle that Keron was starting to show interest in the sport of boxing after watching many of Ouma’s DVDs at her place. And when asked if he could train Keron as a potential future boxer, Ouma said, “no problem, the only problem is the stubborn character who calls himself his (Keron) father. Keron is my son and I love him and his mother.”
Ouma even went as far as saying he would join singing just to lambaste Amon.
“I hear Amon said he would punch me if he found me on the streets but I swear I would never respond because I’m a professional boxer who can’t just go throwing punches at people,” said Ouma, “I would instead record a song with Juliana and I attack him in the tune. I know it works.”
Looking at the photos in the gallery below there is no doubt these guys are in love and that is why they kissed on stage (in public). And on the singing issue, don’t rule out Ouma because he showed that he could sample a few tunes during the Street Jam at Club Silk last Saturday. Take a look at the photos.

Ouma dances with Juliana at Jam
STILL HAPPY: Amon smiles
Ouma sings for Juliana at Jam

Maggie Kigozi Is A Pastor Kayanja Fan

Pastor Kayanja (white suit) talks to President Museveni's son Muhoozi and wife as Roger (white tie) looks on.
HE'S GREAT: Maggie seems to be saying

Here’s a question for you guys, if you’re a top public figure, do you still get star struck by other A-listers?
Well, don’t stress yourselves guys because Uganda Investment boss Maggie Kigozi has answered that little conundrum for me.
She may be rich and well known by even the richest investors in the country but she is certainly not above the “star struck syndrome.”
Especially when it comes to Pastor Robert Kayanja.
Mama Navio demonstrated her admiration for Kayanja during the premiere of Roger Mugisha-inspired film Battle of the Souls at Didi’s World last Sunday.
Kigozi was invited to give a speech but she looked wordless and even blamed the emcee Roger Mugisha for making her speak after Kayanja has finished.
“Ouch, Oh my God (smiles), I don’t know what to say,” she stammered, “I would like to say Pastor Kayanja, I’m privileged to be here with you. Roger how could you let me speak after Pastor Kayanja.”
I want to tell you this lady was really star struck because she was even sweating in an air-conditioned cinema hall. But the wide smile on her face meant she was okay, anyway.
But I’m tempted to ask what would happen if Pastor Kayanja went to her and said he wanted to start an investment but he wanted her approval.
Someone told me that even if it was “destroying” Mabira Forest or something that frustrates Navio, she would say, “yes go Pastor and do it!”

Sheba replaces Cleo in Obsessions

Dance groups in Uganda are known for bitter break-ups and nasty feuds but sometimes, when you fall off the horse it’s best to just get straight back in the saddle.
Well, Obsessions seem to respect that and it’s probably why they have survived for such long despite numerous splits.
It has been a few days now since Cleo Koheirwe retired from dancing for the group but Obsessions have replaced her with another cutie called Sheba (in a short period---I must add).
Sheba fell out with her co-founders in the dance group Stingers before joining Obsessions.
And now I have been able to actually see her perform with the other four girls at different events including the Street Jam at Club Silk last week.
At the Jam she seemed to be doing well as she talked to the other girls and the male member/manager Ronnie Mulindwa---putting his arm around her, no more.
However, I have heard a rumour that Mulindwa’s girlfriend Sharon is unhappy with how he treats Sheba like “a queen.”
Moreover he wrote the play Queen of Sheba in 2004 that was played by the Obsessions.
Meanwhile, you can enjoy photos of Sheba with other Obsessions girls at the Street Jam, below.