Geoffrey Oryema left Uganda in 1977 at the age of 24 during President Idi Amin’s brutal regime. It is said that Oryema left under complicated circumstances, following the mysterious death of his father who had been a minister.
Thirty-nine years later, Oryema will be a headlining act at the premiere philanthropy Bayimba Honors ceremony at Lohana Academy tomorrow. The event aims at rewarding individuals who have selflessly given back to arts and culture.
Largely unknown to the current generation, Oryema is expected to thrill revelers with his songs including Land of Anaka, Makambo, Passage At Dush and Ye Ye Ye,.
In his music, he shares Acholi stories, riddles and culture especially through the instrumentation. Sometimes, he marries home with pop culture genres. Oryema earned his international acclaim after the release of his second album, Beat the Border in 1993.
He has though gone on to collaborate with acts including Peter Gabriel, guitarist Jean-Pierre Alarcen and Patrick Buchmann. For the inaugural Bayimba Honors, three artistes Kaz Kasozi, Maria Goretti Kyomuhendo and Sanaa Gateja will be honoured.
Bayimba Honours will also feature performances by Julius Lugaaya, founder of Dance Week Uganda. The dance performance will feature Derrick Komakech, Giovanni Kiyingi and Rashida Namulondo. Jude Mugerwa will be on the musical arrangement, and a Kampala Symphony Orchestra featuring Babaluku will be conducted by Carmela Sinco.
Tickets go for Shs 100,000 and Shs 200,000. Tables will go for three million shillings.