Lillian Mbabazi thrills at Uganda’s 49th Independence Day celebrations

Ugandan-born Rwandan songstress Lillian Mbabazi of the Blu3 and Sister Charity, thrilled Ugandans living in Rwanda and invited guests over the weekend, as the Ugandan community celebrated Uganda’s 49th Independence Day. Uganda’s High Commissioner to Rwanda Richard Kabonero, hosted a cocktail at his residence in Nyarutarama – Kigali City, where the Ugandan community in Rwanda, members of the Rwandan government and diplomats celebrated the event. The sensational singer, known by her stage name, Lillian is currently pursuing a solo career as other members of the Girl Band, thrilled the crowd with powerful renditions backed by a very creative Ugandan band-the Sundowners. The sultry-voiced singer powered through some of Blu3 tracks, with a lot of ease including ‘Where you are’ the duet which the group did with Mowzey Radio and Weasle of Goodlyfe crew, and some old classics as well as a rendition of Cee-Lo Green’s ‘Forget you’. When she sang her breakaway single ‘Vitamini’, the mother of one proved to the cheerful crowd that she is a force to reckon with when it comes to doing live music. Perhaps one would say that she has really mastered the art of playing live music, unlike many artists who prefer playback performances and her band, the Sundowners makes it look even easier. ‘Vitamini’, the song which launched her solo career and was well received in the region, saw the guests hit the dance floor without sparing anyone. Lillian invited the High Commissioner and the guest of honour, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Louise Mushikiwabo as well as other high profile guests including the Minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama, to join her on the dance floor. There is no doubt Lillian can put up a powerful performance, one that possesses the crowd, thanks to her vocal gift. She is equally backed up by an equally talented singer Martha. Lillian has a few songs to her name, so in between she fused in some Brenda Fassie here and Bob Marley there, proving that she can sing in any genre. After ‘Vitamini’, Lillian played her equally popular hit ‘Kawa’ and ‘Could it Be You’ a song she did with Tom Mayanja a.k.a the Mith of Clear Cut. The audience asked her on several occasions to do encores of both. The star, whose singing career started in her senior S.6 vacation, in Rwanda, went on to participate in the Coca Cola Pop stars and emerged one of the winners who later formed Blu3 in 2004. To wrap up the night of happiness, Western Uganda artiste Sister Charity of ‘Grade’ fame thrilled the crowd, but her performance was more of playback, though there is no doubt that she could sing in between the vocals. She equally put up a good show but the night belonged to Lillian. The High Commissioner treated his guests to a full Ugandan course of buffet complete, with ‘Luwombo’, a Ugandan delicacy of meat and food wrapped carefully in banana leaves before cooking. Ends

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Lillian Mbabazi thrills at Uganda’s 49th Independence Day celebrations