Uganda: Kirk Franklin Arrives for Stomp Concert

Uganda: Kirk Franklin Arrives for Stomp Concert

New Vision (Kampala)

21 May 2008
Posted to the web 22 May 2008

Nigel Nassar And Sebidde Kiryowa
Kampala

Kirk Franklin is welcomed at Entebbe Airport by utl customer care manager Jackie Birungi and Sleek Promotions director Robert Ahimbisibwe last evening

AMERICAN urban contemporary gospel artiste Kirk Franklin is in Uganda to perform live at two concerts dubbed 'Stomp Live'. Proceeds from one of the concerts will aid the African Children's Choir. The singer jetted in at 8:15pm last night with a 17-man crew aboard a KLM Airways plane.

He will perform tonight at the Kampala Serena Hotel at 7:00pm for sh150,000 per head. All proceeds from the show will go to the children's choir. The choir is made up of orphans aged between seven and 12 years, coming from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.

The children raise awareness of the needs of destitute children and orphans in Africa through musical performances around the world. The proceeds support the choir's relief and development programmes throughout Africa.

Famous for his energetic music which fuses traditional church music, urban pop and rhythm and blues (R&B), Franklin is expected to thrill Ugandans on Saturday at the Lugogo Cricket Oval at sh50,000 for the VIP and sh25,000 for the ordinary section.

The multi-Grammy award winner, whose visit to Uganda is part of a world tour to promote his latest album, Fighting For My Life, appeared excited as he disembarked from the plane.

"It's my first time in Uganda and I already love it here," said an elated Franklin, as he waved in every direction soon after stepping onto the tarmac.

"I have brought Jesus with me and I am going to give you 500 percent. Expect church party, dance and lots of fun."

Clad in a striped cream beret, blue hooded Polo cardigan and an army- green tracksuit atop a pair of multi-coloured sneakers, Franklin was flanked by his all-American crew.

The crew included his 12 singers with whom he will perform at both concerts, and not the One Nation Crew band as had earlier been communicated.

A big team of employees from the concert sponsor, uganda telecom, officials from Sleek Promotions and Fishnext, the event managers, received the artiste and his entourage.

After a brief press conference in which he exchanged pleasantries with journalists and spoke live on radio, Franklin was driven to Kampala Serena Hotel in a black Jeep Cheroke with a "Kirk Franklin" number-plate.

Famous for hits such as Stomp and Lean On Me, Franklin is expected to visit the home of the African Children's Choir in Entebbe on Friday, where he will plant a tree and address journalists.

He will attend prayers at Kampala Pentecostal Church on Sunday morning and jet out on the same day in the afternoon.