Maurice Hasa, the children’s voice
MAURICE Hasa has curved out a reputation as a child activist over the past two years by singing about issues that affect the children. His maiden hit single, <i>Kaleke Kasome</i>, released in 2005, slams the grotesque act of defilement, one of the most common forms of child abuse in Uganda.
By Gilbert Mwijuke
MAURICE Hasa has curved out a reputation as a child activist over the past two years by singing about issues that affect the children. His maiden hit single, Kaleke Kasome, released in 2005, slams the grotesque act of defilement, one of the most common forms of child abuse in Uganda.
It is perhaps because of the touching message that the song carries that Kaleke Kasome (which literally translated into English means ‘let the kid concentrate on his or her education’) was well-received by music fans.
Kaleke Kasome was not only instrumental in propelling Hasa to stardom, but also presented him as a strong-willed advocate of the rights of children.
The song has Hasa mourning with heartfelt emotions, Kakyali kato, kaleke kasome…,†meaning, “She is still young, let her complete her education.â€
But what really inspired Kaleke Kasome? Hasa says, “It happened to my cousin when we were young,†he says. “She was defiled at the age of five. We found her lying in a pool of blood. It was a horrific scene.â€
Too grotesque to imagine. But this is one of the many untold stories of what many Ugandan children go through.
“I realised that children’s rights have been abused in many ways, while the culprits get away with it because the kids cannot speak for themselves,†says Hasa.
This explains why Hasa has recently busied himself in recording more tracks that highlight the plight of children, like and Street Life.
This year, Kaleke Kasome earned Hasa his very first nomination in the Pearl of Africa Music Awards in the Best Live Band Single category. Unfortunately, he could not beat Ronald Mayinja’s runaway hit, Africa, the song that finally claimed the accolade.
Now to drive his point against child abuse home, Hasa, with the help of Dembe FM, has organised a charity walk today from the station in Nakasero to Nakivubo Stadium. This will give a platform to children to express themselves on the matter.
He will later tonight be joined by other artistes for a live concert dubbed Kaleke Kasome campaign at Sabrina’s Pub on Bombo Road Entrance fee is sh10,000 and action begins at 7:00pm.
There will also be another show at Afronika Pub in Kasangati on Sunday, which will set revellers back by sh5,000.
MAURICE Hasa has curved out a reputation as a child activist over the past two years by singing about issues that affect the children. His maiden hit single, Kaleke Kasome, released in 2005, slams the grotesque act of defilement, one of the most common forms of child abuse in Uganda.
It is perhaps because of the touching message that the song carries that Kaleke Kasome (which literally translated into English means ‘let the kid concentrate on his or her education’) was well-received by music fans.
Kaleke Kasome was not only instrumental in propelling Hasa to stardom, but also presented him as a strong-willed advocate of the rights of children.
The song has Hasa mourning with heartfelt emotions, Kakyali kato, kaleke kasome…,†meaning, “She is still young, let her complete her education.â€
But what really inspired Kaleke Kasome? Hasa says, “It happened to my cousin when we were young,†he says. “She was defiled at the age of five. We found her lying in a pool of blood. It was a horrific scene.â€
Too grotesque to imagine. But this is one of the many untold stories of what many Ugandan children go through.
“I realised that children’s rights have been abused in many ways, while the culprits get away with it because the kids cannot speak for themselves,†says Hasa.
This explains why Hasa has recently busied himself in recording more tracks that highlight the plight of children, like
This year, Kaleke Kasome earned Hasa his very first nomination in the Pearl of Africa Music Awards in the Best Live Band Single category. Unfortunately, he could not beat Ronald Mayinja’s runaway hit, Africa, the song that finally claimed the accolade.
Now to drive his point against child abuse home, Hasa, with the help of Dembe FM, has organised a charity walk today from the station in Nakasero to Nakivubo Stadium. This will give a platform to children to express themselves on the matter.
He will later tonight be joined by other artistes for a live concert dubbed Kaleke Kasome campaign at Sabrina’s Pub on Bombo Road Entrance fee is sh10,000 and action begins at 7:00pm.
There will also be another show at Afronika Pub in Kasangati on Sunday, which will set revellers back by sh5,000.