Mc Carol worked with Nsubuga’s family back in Uganda and got him into a rehabilitation facility. From the corner of Sherbourne and Dundas Street East in Toronto, she helped reunite him with his family and make sure he got the support he needed.

She says Jovan’s story is not the only one. For years she has been helping Ugandans who find themselves in legal trouble or emotional crisis. Recently she organised a fundraiser that brought the late Vianney Mubiru, a cancer patient in palliative care, back to Uganda so he could spend his last days with the people he loved.

Since she arrived in Canada as an immigrant, Mc Carol (Carol Arinaitwe) has slowly become a go-to person for many Ugandans spread across the country. She started out as a master of ceremonies, event promoter and organiser, putting together cultural ceremonies.

Along the way she noticed how living abroad can cut people off from their roots and sense of belonging. Some settle in fine, but many don’t.

She believes culture and entertainment pull people together through shared happiness. “When you land in a new place, everything changes and fitting in is never easy. We have Ugandans in French-speaking parts of Canada who sometimes feel cut off from their English-speaking background,” she says.

Using her journalism background, Carol started making vlogs on YouTube and other platforms. The videos inform people, start conversations, and share stories that inspire and educate.

She also created a WhatsApp group called the North America group that now has more than 1,000 Ugandans. Together with fellow Ugandan creative Ricky Henry, she runs the YouTube channel Rickyhenrylive where people come on and share their experiences.

Their show Mannya Bulaaya is meant to teach Ugandan immigrants what life in the West is really like. The interviews are honest and show that living abroad is not always smooth.

The two also organise live music shows whenever Ugandan artists visit Canada, giving the community a chance to come together and enjoy themselves.

Carol often reaches out to people in the community so they can talk about both their wins and their struggles. Her focus on communication and building the community shows in everything she does. As a business owner she uses her leadership and organising skills to create opportunities that help people grow.

On top of the media and events work, she is also a fitness coach whose projects benefit Ugandans. “I try to create spaces that bring Ugandans together, celebrate who we are, and help people grow both as individuals and as a community,” she says.

The cultural and social events she puts together help keep Ugandan traditions alive, strengthen friendships, and open doors for networking among Ugandans in Canada.

Mc Carol’s passion for helping other Ugandans comes from the values she learned from her mother.

She keeps her mother’s identity private to protect her from online bullying. Growing up, she watched her mother open their home to children and people who were not even related by blood.

Mc Carol, whose full name is Carol Arinaitwe, is a Ugandan-born media personality, event MC, promoter, organiser, fitness coach and journalist living in Toronto, Ontario.

Born and raised in Kampala, she has built a career that covers media, business, health and wellness, and event management. She owns 256 Carol Events, an events and marketing company, and runs a non-profit called “Her Opportunity Renewed.”

She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Makerere University and a Diploma in Journalism from the Uganda Media Centre and Training Academy (UMCAT).

After moving to Canada she also earned a Diploma in Business Administration from the Academy of Learning College.

By Gabriel Buule

This was after the committee shockingly discovered that the origin of the request for the funds was from a combined cocoon of persons from the ministry of Gender, selected personalities from the Uganda National Cultural Center (UNCC), National Cultural Forum (NCF) and the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA).

It is alleged that the Gender ministry cartel is headed by Hon. Betty Amongi and Hon. Peace Mutuzo while that from UNCC is spearheaded by the Executive director Francis Peter Ojede and the board Chairman Okello Kelo Whilst the NCF is represented by Daniel Kazibwe.

Amongi subscribed to the opposition UPC party before earning the juicy land’s ministerial post and still counting, in NRM governance. She is a spouse to the leader of UPC, Jimmy Akena. Akena is the son of the founding UPC president, departed Militon Obote who also became the first independent President of the country Uganda. Akena represents Lira municipality where his father started his political journey as a representative in LEGCO for National politics.

Reverting to the matter at hand, while the cartel had initially succeeded in maneuvering their ploy in a clandestine and synchronized formation through various channels and pre-qualification procedures at the ministry, they hit a snag when they met up with the parliamentary Gender, labor and social welfare committee.

Little did they know that a whistle blower had prior to their interfacing with the committee, provided a neat dossier which implicated the above members of the cartel and busted the half-baked proposal that was being ‘sold’ for the money to be approved. Indeed, armed with this information that seemed to be credible and of high value, Hon. Kabahenda, tasked the team to provide the feasibility study report on the said regional studio project which task they failed.

She went ahead and tasked them to provide an updated quantitative management estimated report for the various pre-selected regional studios overheads to no avail. When the team failed to give any satisfactory evidence on any of the issues at hand, Kabahenda and her committee decided that the allotment of the said 33bn shillings be suspended until further notice.

It is after this revelation that Daniel Kazibwe, the chairman of NCF, a body which houses over 50 associations in the sector, now maintained that as a body, they had not been consulted by the people who were chasing for the money. Others like Charles Tyaba who is the General Secretary of Uganda Film Association also denied being consulted.

A request by the UNCC for UGX1bn to upgrade the theatre was suspended too, for the committee to consider a proposal from a selected group of artistes’ fraternity who have requested that the said monies be channeled into renovating and revamping the national theatre. They want the funds to be conditioned on the overhaul in the current management of the UNCC, to save the funds from what they call misappropriation.

Additionally, the committee also tasks the UNCC management to account for the UGX7.6Bn supplementary allocation that was meant for the contentious E- concerts. The most puzzling thing about the UGX33Bn in question is that, it is yet to be established who exactly requested for the dimes. 

It should be noted that much as there are squabbles and friction at times between the UNCC’s Ojedde, Sam Okello Kello and Daniel Kazibwe, when it comes to matters to do with finance, they stand united until all lingering questions are settled by those concerned.  

Enter Hon Betty Amongi, Peace Mutuuzo;

The same whistle blower, allegedly points the accusing figure at top figures at the ministry. They cite, among others, Hon. Betty Amogi and Hon. Peace Mutuuzo. It is said that though Amongi gives off the façade of a simple woman, she is reportedly sly when it comes to issues to do with finances.

A story is told of how Amongi allegedly hijacked the UGX100k mobile money Covid 19 Relief cash from the ministry technocrats who she reportedly exploited since they were fresh at the job. This influence peddling led to the disorganization and collapse of the ‘project’ triggering investigations which are ongoing, much as insiders assert, the probe could end up being interfered with. 

Many in the entertainment sector have welcomed the move by Kabahenda’s committee. They pray that the same takes keener interest in the activities of UNCC, NCF, and UMA by instituting a commission of inquiry into the ownership and management of the UNCC center aka the Uganda National Theatre.

To this alteration scam of the ownership of the people’s national center, we shall revert soon, after we commission a probe into the scam. We are also investigating Amongi dealings while at the Lands ministry and indeed watch the space for the same.

A pry in her circles from Lungujja base, told us last night that the singer who hasn’t held a concert for the past three years plus, has been with her team planning a mega back-to-stage event that is to relaunch her music career.

Juliana, who has since been gracing only private functions, we are told,had been misadvised by one of her handlers who had `ignorantly` agreed to the botched Winston TShaka`s ‘Baileys Safari Picnic’ show. 

The pry claims that it was through her sister Laura Kahunde, that the Controversial deal was reached upon with promoter Wintson Mayanja aka Tshaka Mayanja alias Jazz Safari.

However, when her management scrutinized the contract even prior, the said eye opening pesser that she attended, the singer had already made up her mind to opt out of the show. It is alleged that Juliana, at the time, was forced to play along in avoidance to annoying one of her greatest fans, Charlie Lubega who was in attendance.

Charlie, the clubs mogul who is a friend to both Juliana and Tshaka, is said to have later tried to mediate the two parties into coming to a compromising agreement but to little or no avail. 

This revelation now confirms that singer Juliana will not be gracing any big stage until she relauches her career with her own concert or event soon. As to why she finds it hard to refund TShaka`s 60% deposit against the botched deal, is a disturbing story for another day. Watch this space.

A local production company WYSE claims to have signed Dre Cali   in 2018, but in just five months into his contract, the singer reportedly contravened some sections embedded in the pact with them.

The company, WYSE owned by Tumwesigye Denis and Ssali Wilbrod Nathan entered into contract with the singer then known as Drey 23 in 2018, running until 27^th March 2023.

WYSE alleges that Dre Cali at the time started missing meetings, performing at shows, recording songs, and shooting videos without their consent. They later discovered that their treasured artiste had, on July 14^th 2019 willfully signed with Mpaka Records, in total disregard of the binding contract he had with WYSE.

It is on this same day that Dre Cali went ahead to purportedly terminate the agreement he had with WYSE through an email to them.

After failing to reach a mutual agreement, WYSE, through their lawyers Apenye and Co Advocates, on 3^rd November 2021 sued Dre Cali, for general damages arising from breach of contract, special damages (audio and visual, media tours, promotions, transport etc), to a tune of UGX 81, 820, 000 (eighty one million, eight hundred and twenty thousand Uganda shillings).

However, at about that time, Dre Cali instantly went missing, reportedly with the knowledge of Mpaka Records. He is now reported in Canada, where he is alleged to be in the process of legalizing his stay in the country for the long haul.  

With persistent claims that Dre Cali has since ceased to be part of Mpaka, the label recently came out with a statement signed by the operations manager Gashumba Lious, to set the record straight; 

“We have since last week picked up information that Mpaka Records and Dre Cali are having a bitter split.

This release is to notify the public and all our stakeholders that Mpaka Records has no existing disagreement with Dre Cali.

Mpaka Records is in close ties with Dre Cali and his family hoping to understand and clarify issues around Dre Cali’s traveling to Canada.

As a business we are committed to understanding this situation and if there is any issue it will be sorted amicably.

Any other information will be shared with the press as we are able to establish an official position.”

However, a close family member confided in us that Dre Cali is not about to show face in our dusty town as he is planning to re-launch his career and citizenship status in Canada.

Mpaka Records is now in a catch 22 situation as it had several endorsements and planned activations with different companies regarding brand Dre Cali, which is currently affecting its smooth running of business.

Meanwhile, Mpaka records this week officially signed a partnership pact with singer cum politician Hon. Racheal Magoola, whose break away vintage song Óbangaina’ was redone by Ykee Benda on his latest album, `Kirabo`. We are told that the haste in signing Magoola, is in a bid to avert the void that has been created by the absence of Dre Cali.

Sheebah, who was commenting on the issue for the first time retorted that; “#2022 Am not taking any kind of BS from you!! We just going to enjoy life as we chasing that paper.”

This statement resonates in tandem with claims that Jeff Kiwa, has been a no-nonsense manager who many a time has been clashing with Sheebah, whenever, she tried to act contrary to his set professional specification.

A story is told of how Jeff Kiwa, on 12th November 2020 lost his cool after he was shocked to the core when a birthday bash turned into the launch of the Sheebah Holic pads office and stores in Bunga, that also coincided into the unveiling of her own events and red terrace liquor business ventures.

Jeff Kiwa is said to have left in haste and the relationship between the pair soared into disrepair though it was kept under the wraps until recently, thanks to Jeff’s shrewd media handling skills. 

However, all hell broke loose after word got to Jeff that Sheebah was also joining the lucrative labor export business, whose involvement and feasibility overhead journeys to and from Dubai and Malaysia, had taken a toll on the singer’s music roster with the Covid 19 SOPs, at the time notwithstanding.

Jeff Kiwa, has since replaced Sheebah, with a new fresh talent named Rahma Pinky, whom musical analyst have pitted as a reincarnation of Sheebah, in the works.  

This is following continued disputes between him and his first female manager cum veteran club and event manager Bijou Fortunate, over accusations of failing to meet her part of the bargain.

It is alleged that Bijou, who was unveiled by Chameleon on 5th February 2020, at a colorful press conference held at the Sky Lounge in Kampala, fell short of marketing the Chameleon brand and bringing in lucrative performance deals and endorsements as she had prior agreed to do.

Though locally Bijou is at her best when managing clubs and events, she had no history of successfully managing a local artiste let alone a big brand like Chameleon, who is arguably Uganda’s music export.

It is his former manager Mutima, who scouted several successful deals for the singer and saw him through a world tour in places like UK where, he had not performed for a longtime, and the star now realizes that Mutima the right man for the job.

After his return from the tour recently, Chameleon called for an urgent meeting with Bijou, in which he retorted his future plan of recalling her managerial duties and his endorsement of Mutima to take over the mantle. 

Juliana, made the stunning revelation in her new year message to her fans in which she stated that her resolution was to go back to ‘school’, growing her family and concentrating on revamping the ‘Keron Kabugo’ Foundation.

The singer last released a song titled ‘Omukwano Gwedda’ in 2019, five years after the demise of her son Keron Raphael Kabugo, in whose memory is the foundation. She now wants to restore it after almost three years in oblivion, courtesy of her pregnancy period , maternal leave and taking care of Taj, her baby son.  

Juliana, is also looking forward to taking more reading sojourns to enrich her intellect and focus on her endorsement deals more especially the very lucrative Geisha Black Soap of Unilever Uganda LTD.

Without hinting or mentioning that she has plans of hitting the studio for any new or feature projects confirms that Juliana, will not prioritize the music industry that brought her fame and fortune. This leaves many of her fans in awe and the music industry base which has for long been waiting for her final comeback into showbiz and local music charts, ought to think otherwise.

Jackie, who has been away for a couple of years and had turned Nairobi into her new home, with lots of friends and romantic acquaintances, had eventually decided to come back home and reignite her career.

However, it was a rude welcome for the now sober and focused sexy singer, who has confessed to being wrong on finding things as they were when she left the country.

Jackie, told all and sundry at a famous studio in industrial area, where she had gone to book for a recording session, that she has been taken aback by the enormous raw talent in Uganda now, and how the business has evolved which pits her as a stranger in a world she only knew too well before she left.

‘Everything is so fast and streamlined and now I have to spend over UGX50m to make an impact in the industry. Radios, Tvs and social media are awash with new music at every click, I will try my luck but God help me’ she said.

In 2002, at the age of 18, Jackie Chandiru joined the Coca-Cola Pop Star Competition on a whim. She was surprised when she won the competition, with Lilian Mbabazi and Cindy Sanyu. Jackie Chandiru had written melodies of Hitajji and Bad Gal when she was still at university.

The trio then formed Blu*3, where She found musical success with the group winning the Best Artist/Group from Uganda & Best Music Video from Uganda in the 2005 Kisima Music Awards, Video of the Year (“Hitaji”) in the 2005 Pearl of Africa Music Awards.

In 2007, she won in the Video of the Year category with “Burrn” at that year’s Pearl of Africa Music Awards. In 2005, Blue*3 was nominated for best East African Group in the 2005 Kora Awards.

Best East African Album (Hitaji) in the 2005 Tanzania Music Awards. In 2006, Blue*3 was nominated for the Best East African video (“Frisky”). In 2009 they were nominated for Best Group & Best Performer in that year’s MTV Africa Music Awards and for the Best East African Song (Where You Are with Radio & Weasel) in the 2010 Tanzania music awards.

In 2008, after five years of working together, one of the founding members of Blu*3, Cinderella Sanyu, suddenly left the group, to launch a solo career. The remaining two group founders, Jackie Chandiru and Lilian Mbabazi, recruited a new singer, Mya Baganda, and changed the name of the group to Blu 3 without them.

Jackie, was booked four years ago into Bunnamwaya Rehabilitation Centre in Uganda for drug misuse, threateningly suicidal and was placed under suicide watch at the time. She later recovered, embarking on a much publicized campaign on how she had successfully beaten the habit, only to sadly relapse.

At about that time, her family hoarded her to Nairobi for more specialized care and rehabilitation, from where she has returned as a better person in charge of her life and future. 

The singer was due to perform at the ‘Ekintabuli ky`oMuziki’ at the Royal Regency last weekend, alongside other artistes including John Blaq, Winnie Nwagi and Pallaso , who kicked off the performances.

Lutalo, who seemed to be wearily in an emotional trivially, caused by the lady’s scantly dress that left 80 percent of her succulent inner thigh exposed, shocked all and sundry, when he went on bended knee and sheepishly started exploring the area.

The ‘Eat Zote’ crooner seemed to have been entrenched in his own romantic illusion world as many a revelers used to such dress codes looked on in awe at his fashion shock.

According to our pry at the spot, it took the intervention of one of the organizers to come and remind him, that he was due to perform next, and needed to head back stage and prepare for the same.

When Lutalo hit the stage, he put up a spirited performance that he occasionally dedicated to the lady in red. However, his continued conquest on the night was dealt a huge blow, after a gentleman who seemed to be very close to the lady appeared and took over her auspices. 

Running under the theme; Redirecting Social Media to Impactful Social Networking Engagements, the festival will bring real social media experience in a venue with free Wi-Fi where all social media engagements will be live on giant screens. The event will see social media revelers treated to a mix of informative, edutainment and fun activities.

The main sponsors of the event are Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Ruparelia Group of Companies. Other key partners include National Information Technology Authority-Uganda-NITA-U (internet partner), Next Communication, NBS TV and Nxt Radio (Media Partners) as well as Uganda Breweries Ltd who will ensure revelers get drinks at attractive prices.

Amon Baita, the Marketing Head of  Social Media Fest said, it is not only  aimed at streamlining  the social media industry towards effective and professional communication amongst users, but it will also boost awareness and promotion of digital marketing and e-commerce amongst Ugandans, plus amplifying an impactful usage of social media through interaction with end-users.

“The Social Media Festival will bring together individuals, social media groups, influencers, bloggers, digital marketing agencies, government agencies, exhibitors and various brands and organizations under one roof to network and learn more how best to benefit from social media platforms,” Baita says.

He adds that Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), Ecobank, Davis & Shirtliff among others have already booked space to exhibit and showcase their various digital innovations and products.

He urges other companies with digital products/services and those using social media platforms to better their service delivery, to book space not only for exhibition purposes but also to network and get feedback from end users of their products physically.

Baita says the event will have interactive sessions where various topics relating to ICT and internet, PR Management and marketing and branding on social media among others, will be discussed.

“Social Media FestUg’s vision is to be the biggest marketing social event in the region bringing all brands in direct contact with their audience,” he adds. Baita says entrance into the one-day event is free but one must register in advance via a link. He provided the link as https://bit.ly/2ucCBUM.

For companies that want to exhibit or any inquiries, contact Amon Baita via: 0774037962