Meet Haji Musa Kavuma, the businessman Swangz Avenue trusted with Nwagi’s concert

Kavuma is one of the most successful people in Uganda's music business.

One could argue that two of his biggest traits have been having a huge stomach for risk and being good at reading the changes in tastes.

“My biggest weapon is knowing what everyone wants and keeping everyone’s secret. I can now look at someone and read his or her mind and I deal with them according to their needs,” he said in an interview with The Observer in 2012.

“Mind you, I am managing very rich people who need to be handled exquisitely and that is why they love my skills and they are my best friends.”

For instance, the Masaka-born businessman, who was already managing a coffee factory named Mukoko Coffee at 20, partly became famous for bringing Lucky Dube to Kampala.

He is the first promoter to charge Shs10,000 for a concert, moving people from as low as Shs3,000 that they were used to. He did this for the first time in 1997 when he flew in Essence Kasozi from London to perform on the same stage with Sarah Birungi and Paulo Kafeero.

In 2012, he organised Chris Evans’ ‘Mulungi’ concert on the same night as Chameleone’s ‘Valu Valu’.

Kavuma, who joined the music industry after school, having been convinced by John Bosco Kyobe, then a prominent musician promoter -- took on Paulo Job Kafeero, as his first client in 1996, according to The Observer.

Musa Kavuma Pulse

In 1997, he started managing Diamonds Production, which had singers like Sylver Kyagulanyi, Betty Mpologoma, and Martin Angume, having rescued it from a financial crisis.

Diamonds Production later transformed into Eagles Production and Kavuma helped grow it into a very powerful band, having taken on management in 2003.

Diamonds had been started by Kato Lubwama.

Notable singers that have been part of Eagles production include Mesach Semakula, Irene Namatovu, Fred Sseruga, Grace Ssekamatte, Ronald Mayinja, Betty Mpologoma, Haruna Mubiru and Geoffrey Lutaaya.

Eagles Productions later split into two, forming a separate band called Golden Production. Reports indicate that disagreements on the management of finances partly led to the split.

Messach Semakula Pulse

Away from managing musicians, Haji Musa Kavuma has also organised some of the most popular and consistent shows across the country.

They include CBS’ Ekitoobero, Bukedde FM’s Embuutu Yembutikizi, Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine’s Battle of the Champion.

The 51-year-old music mogul also ventured into sports, organising a highly-attended match between KCC and South Africa’s Super Sport in 2009.

He has also invested in real estate and car bonds.

Bebe Cool Pulse Live Uganda

Born Hajji Yasin and Hajati Nalwoga, Kibuli Demonstration School, the businessman, known by many in the music world as KT, went to Aga Khan Masaka, and Kawempe Muslim but he didn't get education certificates.

KT Events is also organising King Saha’s concert that will be held on February 14, Valentine’s Day, at Hotel Africana, Kampala.