How Nigerian film ‘The Black Book’ became a global hit

A scene from the black book. Net Photo.

Released globally as an acquired Netflix Original on 22 September, Nigerian film The Black Book has taken the streaming world by storm. Netflix says the action-thriller, starring Nollywood icon Richard Mofe-Damijo as Paul Edima, an avenging ex-security operative on the hunt for the murderers of his only child, ranked fourth globally amongst the platform’s English-language… Continue reading How Nigerian film ‘The Black Book’ became a global hit

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The origin of Empaako-Bunyoro’s cultural greeting

Caps with empaako inscription on sale. Photo: Robert Atuhairwe/The Albertine Journal.

Empaako is used in Bunyoro for greeting and culturally, it is ludicrous that one would call one’s neighbour by their formal name. On first interaction, you are asked: What is your empaako” while kneeling if you are a woman and bending for a man. Whatever the time of the day, empaako is a must use.… Continue reading The origin of Empaako-Bunyoro’s cultural greeting

Afrigo Band to perform in Hoima on Empango eve

Afrigo Band. Net Photo..

Uganda’s longest-lasting music ensemble, Afrigo Band, will for the first time perform live in Hoima. The show is organised by Sweet Dorcus Promotions in conjunction with Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom as part of celebrations to mark the 29th Empango (coronation) anniversary of Omukama Solomon Gafabusa Iguru. Empango is the first ritual the Omukama (King) performs as he is being crowned.  Iguru the… Continue reading Afrigo Band to perform in Hoima on Empango eve

Tina Turner, resilient singer hailed as the ‘Queen of Rock and Roll,’ dies at 83

Tina Turner performs on stage at the Gelredome on March 21, 2009 in Arnhem, Netherlands. (Photo by Rob Verhorst/Redferns)

Tina Turner, the dynamic rock and soul singer who rose from humble beginnings and overcame a notoriously abusive marriage to become one of the most popular female artists of all time, has died, her family announced in a statement. She was 83. Turner died Wednesday at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. “With her, the… Continue reading Tina Turner, resilient singer hailed as the ‘Queen of Rock and Roll,’ dies at 83

Ghetto Kids: what is behind the moves of the Ugandan dance troupe that stormed the world

A group of young dancers from Uganda, Triplets Ghetto Kids, went viral across the world when they earned the “golden buzzer” mid-performance on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. The golden buzzer sends a shower of gold confetti onto the stage – sending the contestants straight through to the show’s final rounds – and it had never… Continue reading Ghetto Kids: what is behind the moves of the Ugandan dance troupe that stormed the world

Five African Books For When You’re Feeling Down and Need a Pick-Me-Up

Book by Trevor Noah. Net Photo.

So you want to take a break from the chaos and get a good laugh, feel inspired, or a find moments of stillness. We’ve got you covered. South African author and comedian Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime where he pens down captivating tales from his childhood at the tail end of apartheid is good for when you… Continue reading Five African Books For When You’re Feeling Down and Need a Pick-Me-Up

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Bunyoro’s continued push to return stolen artefacts from Britain

The Omukama of Bunyoro Solomon Gafabusa Iguru (M) seated on the nine-legged wooden stool known as Nyamyaro a throne ready to perform rituals at their 25th Empango in Karuziika palace in Hoima city in 2019. Credit: Robert Atuhairwe/The Albertine Journal

Bunyoro-Kitara Kingdom has expressed surprise at the continued British hesitance to return priceless artefacts taken from the kingdom by colonial officials. One of the artefacts was a nine-legged wooden throne known as Nyamyaro, a traditional treasure and symbol of royal authority which was snatched from the palace. All kings including the legendary Omukama Cwa II… Continue reading Bunyoro’s continued push to return stolen artefacts from Britain

Well-funded Riddles: Notes from Uganda’s sexual culture war

St Charles Lwanga (01/01/1860 – 03/06/1886), chief of the royal pages and major domo to Kabaka Mwanga II. Martyred seven months after converting to Catholicism. Photo courtesy: Rachel Strohm, Namugongo, 2014.

The journalist’s approach to any topic is to seek out those caught up in the story and get their views. This is not that kind of a story. The wires are replete with anecdotal despatches of African “homophobia” in which for the past decade in East Africa, Uganda has become Ground Zero. The latest flashpoint… Continue reading Well-funded Riddles: Notes from Uganda’s sexual culture war

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What are the 10 movies every intellectual person must watch?

1: Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” Two lighthouse keepers battle insanity as they are trapped on a lighthouse island together. Where is the breaking point for the mind? The Lighthouse is all about madness, myth, and superstition. Robert Eggers’ nautical nightmare follows a pair of 19th-century lighthouse keepers — Thomas Wake (Willem Dafoe) and Ephraim Winslow… Continue reading What are the 10 movies every intellectual person must watch?