The idea of Bayimba Honors was to recognize individuals, families or companies that have given back to the arts.
Call it cultural philanthropy, the event was intended to raise awareness for the public that arts and culture need their support to thrive. In a pre-recorded message, Kaz Kasozi, one of the night’s honorees, notes that in different countries, the arts are surviving because of good-willed citizens doing their best to maintain theatres, museums and other heritage sites.
He says it would be good if Ugandans developed that kind of will. Kasozi was one of three honorees for the inaugural ceremony. He was appreciated for his selfless nature towards the development of music in the country.
Known as a fusion of punk/pop/jazz and rock musician, Kasozi is a teacher and producer to others, having worked with Benon Mugumbya, Maurice Kirya, Sarah Ndagire, Rachel Magoola and Essence Kasozi, among others.
He is also responsible for teaching many of the guitarists around town. However, even with all three honorees – Kasozi, Goretti Kyomuhendo and Sana Gateja – in the house, the focus was on Geoffrey Oryema’s performance that was meant to close the night.
Having been in exile for forty years, many people were looking forward to seeing him perform on the Ugandan stag. For many still, it was going to be the first time, thus the excitement was palpable.
He was performing after Babaluku alongside the Kampala Symphony Orchestra and Julius Lugaaya, Rashida Namulondo, Giovanni Kremer Kiyingi and Derrick Komakech.
Dressed in all-white, Oryema was introduced by an emotional former presidential candidate, Olara Otunnu.
“He left this country at very bad terms but, thankfully, France gave him a home and today, we are here to celebrate him.”
With a Kampala littered with events that evening, none could match the emotions that filled Lohana Academy grounds as Oryema took to the Ugandan stage for the first time in 40 years.
His relatives that had flown in all the way from Canada to watch him were crying; it was quite something to behold. Some revellers had travelled from his homeland Gulu for the show.
Oryema took Ugandans through songs that have made him famous including La lettre, his open letter to rebel leader Joseph Kony and the Ugandan president; then Lwampony, Omera John, How Long Will It Take and Ye Ye Ye, among others.
But it is Land of Anaka that was a unifying point; seeing Otunnu, singer Komakech, Harriet Anena, and Nicholas Opio, among others; holding hands and singing along was proof of what the show meant to those that turned up.
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