Angella Katatumba, the honorary Pakistan consul to Uganda and daughter to respected businessman Boney Katatumba (RIP), is a musician and philanthropist best known for her contribution to cancer treatment at Mulago hospital.

But recently she got into a brawl with staff at a fast food joint, Chicken Tonight. At the end of it all she was beaten badly and a case is in court. Justus Lyatuu caught up with Angella at the family’s Hotel Diplomate in Muyenga after a court session.

Hi Angella!

Hi! Sorry for keeping you waiting, but at last I have come. I like The Observer, at least I respect you guys. You don’t write stories without evidence.

Thank you! In that vein, what really happened at Chicken Tonight?

There are different stories about the incident, but by the fact that the culprits were remanded to Luzira prison, you can judge and tell whose version is right.

Anyways, there is a Jamaican artiste called Anthony B who came to Uganda recently to do a concert. He came along with Kuzi Kz [also a Jamaican musician]. The moment I interacted with him, I fell in love with his style of music and we decided to do a collabo.

We had a crash programme; recording two videos and two audios; so, that day we worked until very late – about 4am. I had been dropped by my security at Chicken Tonight, Kabalagala branch.

We ordered for our food; I took samosa and Kuzi ordered chips and chicken. He then asked for ketchup and the waiter brought two bottles that were not labeled, when we inquired he just nodded and said it was ketchup.

Kuzi poured too much of it and it turned  out to be chili sauce. We call the guy and he ignores, we ask for the manager who was sleeping, he comes and ordered us out of the restaurant.

They push Kuzi and a scuffle starts. You know Ugandan businesses see customers as a burden and since it was late at night, they saw us as baggage; what we wanted was just an apology like people in developed countries do.

You allege that your handbag had Shs 6m and it was stolen.

In fact it had Shs 6.2m; so, in the process of dragging me out, my bag had remained at the counter. One of the ladies then gave [it to] the askari to bring it to me and when we later checked, the money was missing.

The money was meant to pay my video producers the following day. Because we had worked late, I thought it was better to pay the following day.

If you looked at the clip, you would see I insisted on going back into the restaurant after the beatings, the reason was that I wanted my bag because it had my money.

Ugandans felt let down because a lot is expected from a consul… 

Ambassadors get into scandals; we have seen them [get] caught with people’s wives; they are involved in land grabbing, and beating their wives. We are also human, gosh!
People should not confuse my diplomatic status and music; I’m a musician for God’s sake!

You have been called arrogant and intolerable, because of the wealthy background.

I’m a businesswoman, down to earth [and a] musician; how would you run all these businesses if you had such a character? People who know me know I’m not arrogant.

Back to Chicken Tonight…

I’m a go-getter and aggressive when my rights are violated, and very assertive. I’m a fighter in a business sense but haters will say anything.

That’s what I’m doing with Shumuk [there is a protracted business battle over the ownership of Blacklines House]; my father taught me to be aggressive and fight for what is mine.

How did the CCTV footage leak?

It’s the police and journalists who leaked it. They took my picture and I did not know where  to hide.

Moving on, how is business?

Business has been good. Even when papa passed away, my brothers took over other businesses; it is only court cases [with Shumuk] that are delaying other developments we want to put up.

It’s so sad that papa died without enjoying the fruits of hard work, but in eight months’ time I believe the case will be over.

You stepped into big shoes! How do you manage? [Angella manages Hotel Diplomate and is acting Pakistan consul, a position Katatumba Snr also held.)

My father was a brilliant businessman. When he died, all his children were sorted. He had a will, which he prepared 10 years ago. I was appointed deputy consul 10 years ago. Nothing changed; we are fully equipped on how to run business and the consulate.

What happened to your charity work?

The Angella Katatumba Development Foundation (AKDF) is still active and helping the needy. We did give a lot of support to the people of Gulu [through the For You Gulu project]. We also did Mulago Ye Ffe campaign, where we gave [the cancer institute] Shs 25m.

Such generosity! Now let’s talk music…Do you write your songs?

Yes! I write the ones in English, but I don’t know Luganda; Henry Tigan wrote Ngenze N’ono. I also did a collabo with Bebe Cool, a Luganda song produced by Washington.

It is long since you gave us something.

Yeah! I know, the last time I sang was three years ago and the time I sang with Mowzey (RIP) and Weasel. Music is a lifetime and it’s something you plan over and over; musicians get tired, frustrated and start doing drugs if [they] don’t plan.

There are kids coming up every day and you might fail to cope up. You have to get something to supplement music.

Any collabos in the future?

The latest is with Kuzi and it is called Out Of My Mind. I want to promote it; I have a budget for that.

Angella, I must say you still look hot, in spite of the bruises and red eye… How do you keep the looks?

I hope so, munange …anyways …I go to the gym every morning. I do facials once a month, I also do manicure and pedicure at AFK Beauty Clinic – Kabalagala [which belongs to the mother].

Any sports?

None.

What is your typical day like? 

I start by going to the gym, and then I set up the hotel for business, look at the books. Some days depend on whether I’m going to do charity, meet delegations or music; for the last two weeks it has been studio, studio, studio.

During my free time I like watching movies and travelling across the world.

How are the other Katatumba children doing?

We are nine children in the Katatumba family – some are in Uganda, others are abroad. I have a twin brother; we are all doing well in our different careers.

Let’s talk about dating…

Yeah, I’m seeing someone!

Wow…. and who is that lucky someone?

I will never reveal… It can be the talk especially with us musicians.

When is the wedding?

I pray to God for the wedding! I tried once (marriage) with an African-American [Alonzo Ward] but it failed to work. It was fire.

What happened?

Oh, [the marriage] was beautiful and heaven in the beginning but it ended in hell; that’s how marriages are. Some people are just in marriage because of children or fear of public opinion. Some are also dying to get married [laughs].

Are there any mini-Angellas, by any chance?

No!

Why? Can’t you have kids just for the sake? The biological clock, you know…?

No, no, no, that’s the challenge. Parents are grooming their girls to get married; the society is spoiling the girl child. We should be grooming girls to be assertive rather than thinking marriage.

By the way, how old are you, Angella?

Yiii! I won’t answer that; I can’t tell you.

There are allegations that you and Kuzi have something going on.

I’m not dating Kuzi. We have chemistry when it comes to music; he is a talented singer. Of course any man and woman working together, there are always rumours, but I’m used to it.

The issue of the consulate; what is going on? Is it a hereditary position?

My father was made a consul by Pervez Musharraf. He appointed a Christian consul because the Sunni and Shia Muslims were always divided. Musharraf thought a Christian would be neutral, [Katatumba Snr] was a diplomat for 17 years; however, the Pakistan High Commission in Kenya, which is meant to guide us did not like it.

Nairobi even hid my father’s appointment letter for two years, the relations of Uganda and Nairobi have been frosty because of religious differences.

So, why not just close the consulate? Are there perks for you?

There are over 6,000 Pakistanis in Uganda who need help and recommendation letters, settling family disputes, arrests and deportations.

There are no perks per se, but just a few shillings when we write recommendation letters to these people in Uganda because I have staff to pay.

Consulate is like charity, prestige and for the rich; it’s for a person who has other sources of income and that’s why my father was appointed; he was rich and had businesses.

I asked the ministry of Foreign Affairs to ask me to be acting until a substantive consul is appointed. By the way, my signature is still recognised in Pakistan.

When I tried to follow up with Nairobi, they refused to give me a visa and openly told me consulate work is not for Christians; they refused even to take my credentials to Pakistan.

ABOUT KATATUMBA

Angella was born to the late Consul of Pakistan Boney Katatumba and Mrs Katatumba.

She was born in Nairobi Kenya, but little is known of when. She is estimated to be in her late 30s or early 40s.

She went to the once affluent Katatumba Academy in Mbarara, before leaving for Vancouver, Canada for her high school education.

She enrolled for degrees in Economics and Law, and later a master’s degree in International Management at Oxford Brookes University, UK.

She has siblings Rosemary, Allan, Dennis, Rugiirwa (twin brother), Collin (RIP), Ken, Ian and Jay.

She was married to Alonzo Ward for eight years.