THE fifth edition of the Tusker Project Fame musical talent search kicks off this weekend with a gala show bringing together 18 contestants from six participating countries, music enthusiasts and sponsors.Viewers across Eastern Africa will get yet another opportunity to watch contestants battle it out for eight weeks for the top prize of Ksh5 million cash prize (approximately Rwf35m), and a recording deal with Universal Music Group from South Africa.The 18 representatives from Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Southern Sudan and new entrant Burundi, have been short listed after the Tusker Project Fame Academy auditions that spanned four weeks. This year, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi each have three contestants, while Southern Sudan  is represented by two contestants. Kenya is represented by four participants.Six of the 18 contestants are on probation this week and will perform during the gala show before the judges and a live audience. Three of them will be eliminated paving way for the final group of 15 participants to join the Tusker Project Fame Academy.Making a comeback this season are the three Judges Ian Mbugua from Kenya, Juliana Kanyomozi from Uganda and Hermes Bariki from Tanzania. But for the first time in the talent show, there will be a fourth judge from Universal Music Group.Jackson Kalimba, Diana Teta and Fatuma Muhoza, will carry the Rwandan flag.  Kenya is represented by Eunice Gutu, Doreen Nyawira, Steve Homes and Ruth Matete.Sharon Nakhioga, Allan Roy Serikinda and Brian Luzinda will represent Uganda, while Tanzania has Damián Mihayo, Linias Mutimba and Imani Lissu. South Sudan will be represented by  Nancy Chan and Mer Ayang.Burundi will be represented by Pacifique Gachuri, Samantha Nzeyimana and Joe Christian Irankunda.The faculty team will be led by Hellen Mtawali, as the principal; Robert Kimanzi as the music director; Kavutha Asiyo, the voice coach; Aaron Rimbui, the band leader; while Edwin Omondi will be in charge of choreography and fitness.Nomination shows are scheduled to kick off from June 10, with the first eviction show due on June 16, where the public will have a chance to vote and save their favourite contestants. While at the Academy, the finalists will be taken through rigorous voice, performance, and other training sessions to attain basic music skills.  Sunday night October 2010 - was a rapturous moment, when millions of Rwandans and the rest of East Africa witnessed Rwanda’s Alpha Rwirangira win the competition, walking away with 5m Kenyan shillings, and, among others, a one year recording contract with Galore records. The following year, Davis Ntare from Uganda claimed the title. Will Kalimba, Teta or Muhoza draw inspiration from Rwirangira and make us proud ? Who knows...