Variety is a spice of life and since being a celebrity is about winning hearts, every celebrant must have a style that can be preferred by at least a group of people.
In Uganda, musicians, media personalities and politicians usually attract such a crowd entitled ‘team’ with their celebrities’ names attached. You may find ‘Team Faridah Nakazibwe attached to TV host Faridah Nakazibwe because of her dress code, eloquence and physique, Nwagicians connected to Winnie Nwagi for her angelic voice and earnest character and Sheebaholics hooked to Sheebah because of her club bangers and resilience.
These groups have got daily agendas that members follow to fulfill the goal of keeping their public figure at the top of their game for instance; Monday can be for business adverts, Tuesdays for sharing the celebrity’s pictures on all their statuses, Wednesdays for hot seats, Thursdays for promoting a song among others.
With the teams, the musicians’ songs get multiple song requests on radios and TVs, watch and share YouTube links and other posts, and make TikTok videos for their songs. Other personalities get hyped and defended on social media.
For example, there are rules and regulations one must know before they attack Faridah Nakazibwe, Bobi Wine, Juliana Kanyomozi and Rema Namakula. According to fans, the four musicians are flawless
In 2022, a verbal war almost broke out between Sheebaholics and Spice gadgets. The latter always attacked Spice Diana and compared her to their artist. Fortunately, Spice gadgets stayed low key until the feud phased out.
The diehards in return get new families, go on retreats, sometimes get customized merchandise at no cost, multiple chances of hanging around their celebrities and occasionally sponsor celebrity surprise birthdays together with charities.
One strong rule in these groups is, “you must not use the artist’s platforms to promote another,”
One of Uganda’s longtime and powerful fan groups are team gagamel for Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool, team Bobi Wine and the firebase army and team Jose Chameleon. The groups have been relevant since the time of music battles.
By then, they were more of beef fanatics ready to throw punches whenever the artists met.
The love of these teams, for their artistes has grown with time. When Bobi Wine joined politics, some of his followers were inspired to do the same. Those still stuck on his music career are always there, ready to stream live his shows, attack and defend him from his nemesis.
With Jose chameleon, they have supported him in music, followed him to Islam and back to Christianity, from Democratic Party (DP) to National Unity Platform and back to National Resistance Movement (NRM). He once gave them hope of dining with the Lord Mayor, but unfortunately the public chose Hon. Erias Lukwago over Chameleon and his diehards had no option but follow him back to music, promote his hit songs and protect his music legacy.
Team gagamel have also grown their love for Bebe Cool. They not only defend his love for the ruling government and promote his one week hit songs like Nyege Nyege, Gagamelians also upgraded to throwing surprise birthdays for Mr. Ssali. Bebe sometimes appreciates the fans’ efforts with expensive gifts. In 2019, he gifted one of his top fans and producer Kleberson with a car.
Sarah Karma has been a Sheebaholic since 2013. Ever since she became an official member, Sarah doesn’t know the price of airtime and data.
“I no longer use my money to buy data and whenever I get a problem, my artist and her management support me. If there is also a show in Kampala, I escort our queen,” she revealed
Sarah reciprocates through chairing meetings with other Sheebaholics in favor of the musician, being updated about the Sheebah and her music and also enjoining non Sheebaholics to love the artist.
For Patrick Kiyaga aka Sukuma X promotions, the official blogger for music Trio B2C, all his sweat will be fully rewarded soon. He revealed that the B2C agreed to headline a music show he is to hold next year.
“I had much love for B2C and had all their songs so I decided to start up new accounts on all social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. I only posted B2C pictures and videos on all these platforms. I got many followers where by even the artists started following and monitoring my posts,” he said
Adding, “one day I received a message on my Facebook page and one of the B2C Whatsapp administrators wanted to add me in the official Whatsapp group and the rest is history. The artists are really supportive,”
Even after Juliana Kanyomozi’s official page of 1.2M followers was hacked, her fans page has done wonders. With a following of more than 308000 people, Juliana fans were at the front when DJ Nimrod threw jabs at the ‘Kibaluma’ musician ahead of her concert.
In 2020, team Juliana surprised her with a customized billboard on her birthday. The following year, the same fans allegedly gifted her with Shs21 million on her birthday. Through a social media post, Juliana Fans revealed that she always stands in solidarity with them.
Hudson Semakula is one of the team leaders at Team Kenneth Mugabi. He says fans first get consent from the artist before groups are created. Knowing about the group’s existence gives the artist the confidence and support he needs to spread to the rest of the consumers.
“We upload his music on our social media platforms, listen in on digital platforms, comment and share all the musician’s posts,” he said
In return, Hudson says hanging around and promoting Mugabi has given him prominence and also led him into the corporate world.
“Besides music, he motivates me as a friend and this has greatly improved my life,” he revealed
According to Ronnie Hozzy, the team leader for Lydia Jasmine addicts, a member must promote the artist and her project with humility. Once it is proved that you disrespect others in their inboxes, you are forced to leave.
“We request for her songs, comment and share her posts, follow her movements on and off social media. Lydia Jasmine addicts don’t come with expectations but diva meets them once in a while, we celebrate our birthdays together and recently, Lydia Jasmine addicts featured in ‘banange’ video. We also get to listen to her songs first, attend her live sessions among others,” he said
Becky Musimenta is a member of Team Ray G based in Kampala. She supports the artist on and off social media.
“My expectation of meeting the artist physically was met when I joined the team. Ray G. appreciates our efforts and he guides us on a few things,” she disclosed
While others are worried about Rema Namakula’s music career, team Rema alias the Remaz ate stuck on her and tapping on her marriage blessing. They just love her for who she is. They consume company products because Rema is the brand ambassador.
Like other musicians’ teams, Spice gadgets throw surprise birthdays, post, share and defend their musician. They are always ready with the best replies especially when one tries to put the celebrity down.
Apart from her TV show program, Diana Nabatanzi has attracted staunch followers with her acting career. Nabatanzi’s followers are always there to share her pictures on social media, celebrate her birthdays with her and also shut down all gossip surrounding her. They are also the first members of her charity foundation.
While trying to be so close to their celebrities, the teams also risk ruining the public person’s reputation. It is alleged that some members of the teams follow musicians on concerts just to steal. Last year, singer Bruno K cautioned artistes’ to pay the people they move with or risk their reputation going down the drain.
“To the artistes who move with a lot of people, please pay those people well so that they stop stealing from other people especially when you appear with them somewhere,” he said
