Businessman, Eria Sebunnya Bugembe aka Kasiwukira was knocked down on Friday morning as he jogged in Muyenga. According to neighbours, a car was parked around his home and the moment he came out to start his morning run, this is when the car was driven off knocking him in the process. The driver did not stop.
According to the Uganda Police publicist, Patrick Onyango, this was intentional and the hunt for the car and driver is on, though it’s too early to reveal their findings. Before the era of the CD’s, Kasiwukira was the brand name in the Uganda music industry.
He used to duplicate music on tapes in the 1980’s which could then be distributed around by vendors.
Conflicting causes for his death – Some people are of the view that the car was used as a ploy while others say he was hit by a hard object.
Music critic, Eddie Sendi wrote this on his wall – “SAD NEWS: One of the few true real moguls in Uganda Eria Sebunnya Bugembe aka Kasiwukira while jogging near his home in Muyenga a Kampala suburb has died mysteriously outside his home. He has been hit by a hard object on the back of his head. A lot is being said but NO one was at the scene so some questions are yet to be answered. So sad indeed! RIP”
“Very sad indeed. Death has really robbed us of a very industrious young man. His contribution to the growth of the music industry cannot be underestimated We shall dearly miss him, ” James Wasula of Uganda Performing Rights Society wrote.
Kasiwukira was the deputy treasurer of the Kwagalana Club. He owned SEB Industries which manufactures tiles and pavers.
He was also a real estate mogul with several properties in and around Kampala. His properties include Nalubwama Arcade on Ben Kiwanuka Street and Temuseo Mpoza on Luwum Street.
Kasiwukira made his fortune as a pioneer music promoter and was the proprietor of Kasiwuka Group of companies.
“Before music CDs and Computers came into place, musicians used to benefit from their sweat through selling their albums to promoters like Kasiwukira. This is how people like Fred Ssebata, the late Elly Wamala and Paulo Kafeero made millions from their music,” said comedian and singer Kato Lubwama.
