SPLA : Portal to cultural diversity
Cultures-Uganda

Afrigo Band

Genre : Band
Principal country concerned : Column : Music
The Afrigo Band PO BOX 14183
Kampala
Tel. : +256-77-501487 | +256-41-254170
Uganda

The Afrigo Band is without a doubt Uganda's most successful band. Afrigo's 17 CDs have come to define the sound of Uganda. Its distinct attraction lies in its adherence to a beat that is purely Ugandan where other bands have copied the Congolese and Euro-American sounds. Who better to tell the story of Uganda's biggest band than James Wasula, the bands Executive Director. The Afrigo Band was founded in 1976 to enrich and expand the variety of live music entertainment in Uganda. The humble beginning was at, then little known Bat Valley Night Club, in Kampala. At that time there were several other well established bands in Uganda that played in posh hotels like the Kampala International Hotel (Now Kampala Sheraton Hotel), Lake Victoria Hotel (Now Lake Victoria Hotel) Nile and Fairway Hotels.

The Afrigo Band took the challenge with determination and by 1977, the band had registered its presence on the local scene and the little known Bat Valley Night Club had transformed into a big-time night nook. Today Afrigo performs from their new home, Club Obligatto formerly Little Flowers along Bombo Road. They have transformed it from the little known club to a big time place to be. Although we predominantly compose and sing in local Ugandan dialects, efforts have been made to diversify our compositions and song writing to suit international demands. We have written and sang songs in Kiswahili, English and French. After consolidating the lead on the local market, the ultimate vision of the band became penetration of the sophisticated world market of music. In this respect the band has made numerous tours in the UK, USA Denmark and Sweden. The Band has a 14-member crew. Recently, however, the group has lost some members. Rachael Magoola is now performing solo.

Partners

  • Arterial network
  • Guerrilla Arts
  • HOT
  • Bayimba
  • Uganda Women Writers Association
  • Arts 256
  • 32º East
  • Amakula Festival

With the support of