Loud laughter and hearty applause filled the air as East Africa’s leading TV and stage group, the Ebonies, performed for the first time in Kigali on Saturday evening.Even though the Serena hotel auditorium was half full, there were no regrets for those who turned up. Along with singer Dan Kazibwe commonly known as Ragga Dee, the Ebonies led by their frontman Sam Bagenda, aka Dr Bbosa, thrilled the audience with their well synchronised plays and musical numbers.

One has to give it up to the Ebonies for their long standing stage presence that has spanned over three decades yet their act remains as modern as ever.It goes without saying that the group has evolved over the years, bringing in new blood while ensuring that the originality remains.For those who attended the show, it was all laughter and dancing. The Ebonies are capable of keeping a smile on someone’s face for a show’s duration- four or six hours. And that’s what happened exactly.From the time they hit the stage at around 8pm, after singer Tom Close’s curtain-raising, the drama kings and queens did not waste time.The lead girls Fauzia Nakiboneka and Julie Underwood were at it together with a new crop of lady singers and dancers in the group, mesmerising the audience with their act on stage.  One can say that the ever-young actresses have not lost an ounce of their oomph as over the years as they pounced and gyrated in moves a 20-something old can envy.  The theatre legends presented skits of their latest popular plays the ‘Drum Beat-Enguliko’ and ‘Agony and Ecstasy’ among others, during which they inter-changed the dramas with musical performances.Nakiboneka thrilled the audience with her rendition of ‘Koona’ while once again the group displayed their versatility with renditions of modern love songs. Former Obsessions founder, Michael Kasaija, is also part of the Ebonies entourage that is on an East African and Great Lakes region tour.Again the Ebonies proved that they are still, as in the past, attached and committed to addressing society issues through their touching musical ‘Take your Candle’, in which Underwood is the lead act in addressing the predicament of young girls who are defiled.In a strong message, the Ebonies call upon the world to protect young girls from such unspeakable acts in a rendition of Kathy Trocoli’s classic. They fuse in Luganda lyrics urging people to protect minors."Over the years, we try to educate the masses through theatre and drama. Our current campaign is to address the plight of young girls who undergo the life shattering experience of defilement and rape,” said Underwood as she introduced the musical.But just as the Ebonies thrilled, in comes Ragga Dee, the renowned Ugandan afro-beat singer who is part of the organisers of the tour.Again, Ragga Dee proved that he is a maestro in his own class. Exuding confidence and experience, the chubby singer proved just why he is a force to be reckoned with, belting out his timeless classics.From ‘Cissy’ to ‘Bamusakata’, Ragga Dee run through his oldest hits into his latest singles with ease, leaving the crowd on its feet. Give it to Ragga Dee for his power to engage the crowd and also his ability to do live music.His backup team was equally impressive---from the vocalists to comical dancers and instrumentalists, Ragga Dee has mastered the art of music. The singer did a multitude of songs including ‘Letter O’, which he replaced with ‘Letter K’, ‘I am in love with a stranger’, ‘Ndigida’ and ‘Move’ among others. "This is my home because my wife is Rwandan and it’s always a pleasure performing in the country. We are glad that people enjoyed the performances we offered. If all goes well, we shall make this an annual event in the country,” Ragga Dee told The New Times after the show.It was an ecstatic evening and as guests strolled out at around a half-past midnight, there was a sense of contentment and an evening well spent. It was worth every penny."Kigali is such a beautiful and clean city. We received great hospitality and the reception at the show was incredible. Much as the audience was not very big, we are happy that those who attended enjoyed the show,” said Dr Bbosa, who has been in the Ebonies for 25-years. "Our plays focus on the day-to-day issues in the society. They are very versatile and educative,” he added. After the Saturday VIP performance at Serena hotel, the group performed to a large crowd at the Petit Stade’s main parking lot in Remera.The Ebonies will go to Burundi, Tanzania and Zambia on their regional tour. They have been in the theatre business for over 30 years now and during that time they have produced series of hit TV dramas and theatre plays.