By Jako David Waluluka
Many a times, a successful event depends on the astuteness and professionalism of the Master of Ceremonies (MC) or Emcees, in managing the flow of the function.
The MC trade is traced back to the late 1970s, which at the time was an alternative title for a rapper, and for their role within hip-hop music and culture.
This later became a signature norm for many an event from entertainment , burials , political rallies, religious dos name it. All these would never smoothly run minus an MC to lead and master the flow of event.
In Uganda, just like the rest of the world, the MC trade though had been underground locally at occasions, started gaining acclaim in the early 80’s with the opening of discotheques like Club Clouds, Tropicana 110 , Black Angle aka Angenior now Guvnor and later others Horison ,Pulsations, White Nile among several others.
At that time, the MC business though a-bit low key gave acclaim to DJ’s cum MC’s like the late DJ berry, Oluba style in Maganjo, Rasta Rob MC , Shanks VV D , Ragga D with an endless list of other upcoming ones.
Infact many of the rookie MC’s later graduated into yesterday’s and today’s top musicians Bebe Cool at the time Bebe Banton, Jose Chamelone aka Ragga Jose, the rest is history.
The new mellenium ushred in a fresh entourage of event MC’s , most of these had the back drop of being local FM radio presenters cum DJ’s.
It is still at this time that the trade became a bankable business, where from the paltry 10-30k an MC would earn at a discotheque or gig, begun to pocket a minimum of 500k for an event.
Make no kistake , not every radio or discotheque DJ or presenter would make an ace event MC. How the hell would one have the late DJ Alex Ndawula as a wedding or official conference overseer.
Some of the first of the fine caliber of MC’s came in the form of the late Al Hajji Abdul Nsereko and the late Nabeeta.
The accolade for the new kids on the block at that time belonged to Charles James Ssenkubuge aka Siasa, Meddie Nsereko Sebuliba, Mulindwa Muwonge, Ali Alibai, Allan Mugisha aka the Canterkerous .
Then came in the multi- million MC gig money bags these included ; Dr. Mitch Egwang aka Uncle Mitch, Patriko Mujuuka, Abbey Mukiibi, Roger Mugisha aka the shadow, Angela Newman aka Crystal , Maurice Mugisha ,Simon Peter Ndaula a.k.a Omulangira Ndaula ,these were lethally professional .
Later the business was invaded by a crop of comedians , who in their own right deserved the millions that they taxed for hosting events , the likes of Eng. Patrick Idiringi aka Salvador enter the bazeei be bama, Alex Muhangi .
The craft killer that could eventually bury the once lucrative business, is the emergency of filthy obscene non money valuing comedians ,, the likes of Kaleera, Senga Nantume, MC Mariachi among a brigade of others.
These have tainted and soiled the MC trade and without shaping up , will be the cause of the ‘death’ of the once flourishing business.
