MUSIC CONCERTS BANNED BEYOND 10PM IN UGANDA

WITH American singer, song writer and producer – Sisqo, real names Mark Arthaveans Andrew’s, highly anticipated concert just around the corner, KCCA’s Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi has cracked the whip on concerts. If news filtering in is anything to go by, the future of Kampala’s night outdoor entertainment is silent disco! The no-nonsense Musisi is determined to put music concerts into perspective. She has outlawed ‘loud’ concerts and has decreed artistes don’t perform beyond 10:00pm (a time when most concert-goers are still ocking in and enjoying curtain raising acts).
In a strong-worded letter that will surely cause anguish to Kampala’s party animals, she has moved to ban concerts at Kyadondo Rugby Grounds, Kati Kati Bar and Restaurant, Hotel Africana People’s space until owners get clearance from KCCA.
In the communiqué obtained, aforementioned places, which recently played hostto the music battle between Bobi Wine and Bebe Cool, Coco Finger’s launch and the Goodlyfe’s Tonjagala launch respectively, are faulted for persistent noise pollution, especially on weekends when they host large and noisy gatherings. 
Please take note that you have been holding these outdoor events without a permit from KCCA as required by the Law and Order Ordinance (2006) and the National Environment (Noise Standards and Control Regulations, 2003). 
This is to, therefore, direct you to stop forthwith any outdoor events at your facility until you obtain a permit from both KCCA and NEMA for each particular event you intend to hold.” the letter, signed by KCCA’s Director Legal Affairs Mike Okua indicates. 
Musisi’s flowers spark fury
An insider at KCCA tells e Kampala Sun that the ultimatum from Jennifer Musisi stems from an incident during the just concluded Battle of the Champions between Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine.
The source tells that Musisi was driven to boiling point when show goers at Kyadondo, in total disregard for her efforts to beautify that part of town, destroyed her flowers as they stampeded to the venue. 
This was also soured by the concert ending at 4:00am with Police having to step on stage to stop Bebe Cool from further performance.The source says Musisi intends to make it hard for those with facilities for outdoor events to obtain permits. 
 Even then, the source says, these permits will come with stringent guidelines, among which is for the concerts to end by 10:00pm. Peter Kaujju, the KCCA spokesperson confirms the new developments. In a phone interview, he admitted the new guidelines, owners of the outdoor event facilities, will have to apply for a permit from both KCCA and NEMA for each particular event they intend to hold.  He was, however, coy on the cost of these permits but added; “Failure to comply with the instructions will compel KCCA to impound one’s entertainment machines and or close the premises and cause arrest and persecution for violation of the National Environment (Noise Standards and Control Regulations, 2003 and the Law and Order Ordinance (2006).” Kaujju admitted that extreme discomfort from concerts isn’t only affecting the Kololo and Naguru areas but will soon expand to cover all the other entertainment facilities in the city famed for hosting loud concerts. 
Previous bans failed
In 2008 bar owners and born-again churches were thrown in similar panic as over 11 were closed after being found to be main culprits responsible for high levels of noise pollution. The managers of these places had their machines impounded and were charged in court. Most of them pleaded guilty to the charge and were fined $100.  The bars that were penalised then included Golden Keys in Kiwatule, Soberz in Ntinda, Steak Out, Biggs, Blue Haze and Cheerz, all on Lumumba Avenue; as well as Punchline, Little Mama, Café Cherries and Tasha’s Pub, in Kabalagala. Also among them were Blue Corner and Ground Zero, both in Wandegeya. A NEMA official says on average, 10 complaints about noise pollution are received every week. 
The National Environment Noise Standards and Control Regulations (2003) specifies the maximum permissible levels, as measured on the sound meter, are 40, 60 and 75 decibels for residential, commercial and industrial areas respectively. However, according to the source, some concerts produce up to 150 decibels, which are similar to a plane taking on the runway. The managers at the affected outdoor entertainment facilities declined to comment although a famous music promoter, on condition of anonymity, branded her a joker. “Let her start with the churches before wasting time on us. Many have tried and failed. Interfering with our business is the biggest joke I’ve heard from Musisi,” he angrily responded.

LANDLORD TO SUE BEBE COOL OVER RENT ARREARS

Word reaching us from Kiwatule is that popular Ugandan reggae singer Bebe Cool is set to face legal action for failing to clear rent arrears amounting to over $2,000. Our sources have learnt the Ndisa Buti singer owes $2,000 in rent and $200 in water bills to his former landlord, known us Constance. It is said that Bebe Cool shifted from her house in Kazinga-Kiwatule zone without clearing the woman. Now fresh info is that after several failed attempts by Constance to reach out to the dread locked singer, she is considering taking legal action against Bebe Cool. Close pals to the land lady tell us that Constance has been trying to contact Bebe Cool for over five months since he left the house in vain. “Constance even reached an extent of reporting the matter to Bebe Cool’s dad Bidandi Sali but it was not fruitful” says a source.

We have learnt that she even tried Kiwatule police post but the case was not followed when Bebe Cool refused to appear. Constance is now seeking counsel from a yet to be identified city lawyer to help her squeeze the boastful singer’s balls and recover her dime. Bebe Cool is believed to have earned in the region of Shs40m during his duel with Bobi Wine a fortnight ago.

CHAMELEON AND BEBE COOL AT WAR AGAIN

The War between Uganda's music heavyweights Jose Chameleon and Bebe Cool seems to have resurrected again. Recently, Bebe posted status about his war with Chameleon ' beI cannot believe JOSE CHAMELEON entered rouge & started fighting me his maker after all i have done for this chap now i accept a lost chap is a lost chap,i will never protect CHAMELEON again am not suprised he's fighting me coz he needs the front page more than anybody.ma advise to u Chameleon sing music coz i've got alot in stock watch yo skin.

DOCTORS WARN BEBE COOL

With tension rising and so much to do, doctors always instruct one to be as relaxed as possible. But that was not possible for singer Bebe Cool who had to run up and about to perform while he was in charge of organising some of his album shows in Mukono, Jinja and Luwero.
Shortly, before his Jinja show that was held the previous  weekend, Bebe had been hospitalised for over a week. When Bebe went back to Mayo Clinic for medication a few weeks to the Jinja concert, doctors ordered the singer to stop drinking lest he risked breaking down even before his long waited Agenze concerts.
You will not believe, but Bebe adhered to the doctor’s directive and he has not touched anything alcoholic for the past three weeks. In fact, we bumped into the singer at Steak Out last week and he told us that he will never drink again! But while we choose to follow the cliché that ‘only time will tell,’ for now we consider Bebe’s move a great one.
Meanwhile,Bebe Cool confirmed that the Jamaican duo, Chaka Demus and Pliers, will grace this year’s East African Carnival concerts over the Easter weekend in Kampala.  Bebe said the reggae gurus will sing alongside top East African artistes. Originally, Bebe had wanted Phillipine’s top film star, Ina - renowned for her soap, Timeless but she asked for a whopping $70,000 which was injurious to Bebe’s budget.

BEBE ASSAULTS MYSTERY MAN

Ugandan reggae singer Bebe Cool was last week involved in another fight  with a mystery man who was reported to have been beaten to a point he lost consciousness. As you read this, the victim is admitted in Mulago hospital and is on oxygen. This happened on Tuesday at around 2pm at Lumuba Av. based Steak Out bar. It is however not clear what sparked off the fight. A witness told us: "It was total war. Bottles were flying everywhere. It is hard to understand why Bebe Cool is involved in such fights.
One person was badly injured and rushed to hospital." Furious revellers wanted to lynch Bebe Cool but was saved by the bar security guard and one Mugumba. Several days ago, Bebe was involved in a bar brawl with a mystery person in Ntinda,Kampala. His entire singing career has been characterized by untold fights. He has fought so many people including fellow singers Chameleone, Bobi Wine, the Goodlyfe among so many others

BUTCHERMAN QUITS FIREBASE

Close to 10 years under Firebase crew, Butcher man who has been the “Vice president of Firebase quit the Kamwokya based camp to embark on a solo career. we can exclusively reveal.
Butcherman famed for tracks like “Lwaki temumatila and bambala byambalemu” joined Firebase in 2002 under the guidance of Bebe Cool during the time when Bobi Wine, Bebe Cool, Blackboy and Toolman were the proprietors of the camp.
Butcherman became the vice President of Firebase when Bebe, Toolman and Blackboy quit the group and has been in that position till a few weeks back when he decided to form his own “Badman camp”.
“Being in firebase crew for over 8 years, fighting and sacrificing a lot, I don’t have even a piece of land to call my own. Bobi is so greedy that is all i can say about him.” Butcherman said. He added that he has no beef with Bobi wine and wishes him the best in all his endeavors.
Meanwhile Eighton and Rainman were dismissed from Gagamel without a clear reason.
“We called Bebe Cool several times to give some money to take care of our necessities  and all he did was to keep promising until he called us and said we are no longer  part of gagamel.
The artists who are famed for their “Kiwoko” track formed their own group called “Money makers” and say that someone in Gagamel is behind their dismissal because Bebe is a good persoN.

IS BEBE COOL REALLY FASTING??

One evening he’s enjoying a good time in a bar and the next morning he boldly swears to be fasting! You must be wondering what kind of Muslim that would be! But yes, that’s singer Bebe Cool! SHOWBIZXKLUSIVS  bumped into the singer having a nice time with several friends last Tuesday at Steak Out Bar. But Bebe shocked us the following day when he made a post on his Facebook page alleging that he was busy fasting! We kept wondering what kind of Muslim would hang out in a bar during Ramadhan but still claims to be fasting! However, Bebe Cool who leaves for further treatment in the US sometime this week argued that he wasn’t just hanging out, but was working! “I don’t drink alcohol anymore; I was there to promote my new songs. That’s my job and I was at work,” Bebe said.  We weren’t satisfied with Bebe’s reasoning but we were informed that sick people and people with complications are exempted from fasting!

UG GOV'T COMPENSATES BEBE COOL

When we said he’s perhaps the only artists in Uganda to be so tight with the President, many didn’t believe us. Moses Saali alias Bebe Cool is the first artist to get a warm visit from the big man a few months back after getting shot by a  trigger-happy security officer at Effendy’s bar and club. The president even went ahead and promised to meet the damages the singer went through during his absence from the music scene.
A few debates were carried out whether the Bogolako singer would be paid or it was just media hype but to everyone’s astonishment, state house released info that Bebe is to be given 180million shs as compensation for the damages he endured at the beginning of this year.
The money will also be part of Bebe’s further treatment in the USA until he gets back on his two feet. He’s slated to travel a few weeks from now with his wife Zuena and two kids Alpha and Beata.

However, the question on everyone’s mind is? Did the Government make the right decision of meeting Bebe’s costs? Because he sued the government a few months back for “damages” yet he has been performing in several places like his “Denmark tour” last month, “Return of the king concert” and not forgetting more places he has been advertised on!

UG GOV'T ASKED TO INCREASE BEBE'S SECURITY

Veteran politician and Peoples Progressive Party president Jaberi Bidandi Ssali, is worried about the safety of his son Bebe Cool.  Bidandi said that he wanted the Government to provide more security for the singer.
“When I look at things that have happened to my son since the start of the year, I cannot help but wonder what is really going on. I want the Government to provide meaningful and maximum security for my son,” demanded Bidandi. Bebe Cool was shot at in January at Efendy’s bar & resturant. Then he narrowly survived death when the car in which he was travelling with his wife, Zuena, overturned. Last month, Bebe Cool, who moves with crutches or in a wheel chair, was involved in a brawl in Sweden and last Sunday, he survived death by a whisker at Kyadondo Rugby Club, where two bombs went off during the World Cup final. It is probably against this background that Bidandi feels his son needs extra protection against this streak of bad luck.

BEBE COOL ESCAPES KAMPALA BOMB BY WHISKERE

“I had finished performing during the half-time break and I was seated in the front row enjoying the game. I don’t normally watch my football matches seated in the front row. I always seat at the back. Everyone was happy then all of a sudden…boom!”“I was thrown off my seat. There was silence all over. Before I could recollect my thoughts to find out what exactly was going on, I heard another blast…boom! I immediately knew something was terribly wrong,” says Bebe Cool.

Bebe was the main attraction at Kyadondo Rugby Club where the finals of the 2010 World Cup were being held. It was a reasonable crowd. Before heading down to Kyadondo Rugby Club Bebe had also performed at the MTN World Cup party at Boda Boda restaurant.

“While still at Boda Boda, I received a call from Elvis Ssekyanzi telling me to come down to Kyadondo and perform on stage. My wife suggested that we stay at Boda Boda but Elvis being our friend I decided to drop by, perform and watch the remaining half of the game from there,” says Bebe Cool.

It’s that decision that nearly proved fatal. “I knew it was a bomb blast after the second one went off. I was lying on grass having been thrown off my seat by the fast blast. All around me was blood. I saw a man missing an arm. I was helpless and dazed on the grass with pain. I then felt people pulling me up on my feet. It was my wife and some other people I didn’t know. We were put in a car and left the scene,” says Bebe Cool.

Source Monitor Uganda

BOBI BRANDS BEBE A COWARD

Just when we thought we were about to witness another grudge album launch craze between arch rival singers Bebe and Bobi, something unthinkable has happened. Sources have told showbizxklusivs that the Kasepiki singer has chickened out from launching his album on the same day with Ghetto Gladiator Bobi Wine. In this latest twist, Bebe wrote on facebook.... "Two things the press and public need to know about Bebe Cool. Im not replying Kataala in no song and am not holding no show on the same day with Bobi. He needs to get a budget to market his show...." When contacted about Bebe Cool pulling out of the album launch duel, Bobi said: "I don't care if he is launching or not that's business. But everyone knows he is a coward and as always I would have floored him..." The two highly regarded showbiz big guns were set to launch their albums on October 1 2010.