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Press Releases
Uganda's Maurice Kirya brings his "fusion soul" to BBC Swahili
entrepreneur competition grand final
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Maurice Kirya, the award-winning Ugandan composer and
singer, will perform at the live televised grand final of the BBC Swahili young entrepreneur competition Faidika na BBC (Prosper
with the BBC) to be held in Kampala, Uganda on Thursday 26 June.
With his mix of what he calls "fusion soul", Maurice will open
and close the grand final.
It will be broadcast live by the
Uganda Broadcasting Corporation, and one of the
competition's five finalists will be awarded US$5,000 towards the
launch of a successful business with a positive impact on their
community.
The five finalists are Ashura Kisesa from Burundi,
Witness Omoga from Kenya, Rangira Aime Frederick from Rwanda,
Apolinary Joseph Laksh from Tanzania and Dereick Kajukano from
Uganda.
Maurice, who grew up singing in school choirs and gospel
churches, has performed with some of the most celebrated
musicians from across Africa including the Malian Moussa Diallo,
the Nigerian 2 Face Idibia, the South African Yvonne Chaka Chaka,
the Kenyan Susanna Owiyo and the Tanzanian A.Y.
His fusion soul music blends African percussion with Western
and Eastern influences which he sings in five languages including
English, Luganda and Swahili.
Maurice has performed for Ugandan
President, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, at his home, and once
collaborated with fellow Ugandan artist Kawesa in a musical
performance dubbed "Music with Heart".
This performance
raised money for the International Hospital Kampala
enabling surgeons to perform some of the first heart surgeries in
Uganda.
Maurice won best R'n'B Pearl of Africa Music Award in Uganda and
is a two-time nominee for the Kora Awards in South Africa and the
Kisima Awards in Kenya.
Originally trained as a youth counselor,
Maurice continues to work with non-governmental organisations to
help educate young people about HIV and Aids prevention through
music.
He currently runs The Maurice Kirya Experience which
showcases the talents of vocalists, musicians and poetic and
visual artists from across East Africa.
BBC audiences across Uganda can enjoy Maurice's fusion soul
music and find out which budding entrepreneur will win the
prize and receive the Faidika na BBC trophy live from 16.30 GMT
on Thursday 26 June via BBC Swahili radio and online at
bbcswahili.com.
Notes to Editors
The Faidika na BBC trophy was designed and made by Ugandan
artist, Peter Oloya.
BBC World Service Publicity
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