Ugandan producer laid to rest

Mukisa, who died on Saturday morning, was admitted to hospital on 6 June after a number of unidentified assailants attacked him at his home in Kampala. It is alleged that those responsible for the young producer’s death belong to the Kifeesi Goons, a notorious gang that has been terrorising residents in the Ugandan capital. But the police have been unable to make breakthroughs in their attempt to identify the attackers.    

Mukisa sustained brain damage during the attack and spent close to four months in ICU at Kampala’s Nsambya Hospital. He was discharged in September after his family was unable to pay the hospital bill, although he remained under the watch of a specialist until his death. After the attack, his colleagues in the media organised various fundraising events to help the 23 year old’s family settle the incurred hospital expenses.

“My son is getting better,” Mukisa’s mother, Jennifer Kisakye, said last month. “He can now recognise me and he can smile and move his hands. We decided to go home because we realised that the more he stayed in hospital the higher his hospital bill would become.”

Colleagues and fans paid the producer an emotional tribute at Club Obligato in Kampala yesterday evening after which his body was taken to his mother’s house for a night vigil. Mukisa was buried today in the capital after an emotional ceremony at Glory Days Church Mukono.

His best friend and colleague Geoffrey Nkwanga, who is known by his stage name Dokta Brain, told Music in Africa that the two friends had a dream of owning a record label. “I will miss the studio moments. Every time we went on tour we would return home together but today we brought him to his resting place and I have to leave him here forever,” Nkwanga said.

Mukisa was one of Uganda’s most promising producers. He had worked with such artists as Bebe Cool, Winnie Nwagi, Rema Namakula, Ykee Benda and Fille Mutoni. Last month, he won the Audio Producer of the Year Award at the Uganda Entertainment Awards.

Many prominent figures, including Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, sent their condolences to Mukisa’s family. In his message, which Bebe Cool read at the church ceremony today, Museveni said the country had lost a talented young man. Museveni also donated $5 500 to Mukisa’s family, a local report said. Bebe Cool said he had talked to Museveni about the possibility of taking Mukasa to India for specialised treatment, it added.

Other celebrities took to their social media to express their grief.

Here are posts from Ugandan artists and producers:

Eddy Kenzo: “Gone to soon my brother Danz Kumapeesa. Rest in peace brother, I'm speechless I thought you were going to come back. You will always be remembered.”

Nexo: “Danz Kumapeesa has been the greatest source of inspiration and courage to many. Deep in our hearts we will always remember you. Rip DanzKumapeesa”

Sauti Sol (Kenya): “It is with pain, grief and sorrow that we accept God's will. A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. RIP Danz Kumapesa, thank you for blessing us with a big tune, ‘Mbozi Za Malwa’ is banging everywhere. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. May the almighty Lord grant them comfort, peace and strength during this transition”

Bravo Kay: “I have lost a brother, a friend, a producer, a fan and a supporter of my music. Danz Kumapesa I remember how we began our journey, the words we used to speak, and the work done together. It’s so sad that your journey had to stop here amidst all the dreams we had together.”