Added: Jul 12, 2018

The Tabs Ug also commonly known as The Tabs is a Ugandan instrumental music group made up of Allan Watson Waswa (violin), David Tayebwa (Acoustic Guitar), Meris Nakigudde (Keyboard). The band members are music enthusiasts two of whom are self taught.

The group first formed in 2016 as a duo of Allan Watson Waswa and David Tayebwa at the Milege Acoustic Project at Makerere University performing mostly popular TV/film soundtracks and other pop covers such as the popular Game of Thrones theme song, The Gael from Last of the Mohicans, My Heart Will Go On from Titanic, Pirates of the Carribean theme before composing their original music and recruiting.

Allan and David met at the Milege Acoustic Project late 2015 and actually worked together under no binding name performing at Instanbul Restaurant Jinja Road and The Game Club Lumumba Avenue with Undercover Brothers Ug, The Sound Cup Garden City and at the Milege Acoustic Project at Makerere University. 

In October 2016, Allan and David decided to work together under the name The Tabs Ug owing to the fact that Allan’s family name is Tabaaro and David’s stage name is Tabzy. Their maiden performance as The Tabs Ug was at Sheraton Kampala Hotel as guest performers on Jemimah Sanyu’s weekly show.

They went on to perform at different other functions both private and public including at Commonwealth Youth Meeting in Munyonyo in 2017. They were invited to perform at Chords of the Tower Makerere University music department final showcase for 2017 performing alongside popular musicians Kenneth Mugabi, Giovanni Kiyingi, Haka Mukiga and Happy Kyazze.

The Tabs Ug performed their rearranged version Game of Thrones at the Pearl Rhythm Stage Coach in April 2017 winning them special recognition from the judges who selected them for the Pearl Rhythm Activations but the activations for the whole year were not done as the National Theatre was under renovation.

They also showcased their work at the weekly Milege Acoustic Project, the National Theatre jam night Mondays and at Doa Doa festival at the Uganda Museum.

The duo also worked closely with Milege band, their mentors and performed with Milege at the 2017 Stonefest in Jinja.

In June 2017, the Tabs Ug  played at the Milege World Music Festival in November 2017 sharing stage with some local and international artists like Michael Kitanda, Totemo from Israel, KYP gumboot dancers from South Africa and Bengatronix from Kenya.

The Tabs Ug also performed at a fashion event Nambi Clothing and Textile launch party organized by Brenda Nambi.

They started playing at Ethnic Club on Buganda Road on Sundays 8pm in late July until September when Ethnic Club’s management changed and the club changed to Club Myths.

The Tabs Ug also worked with ex-hollywood and Ugandan actress, producer and director Nana Kagga in her new and upcoming TV series, Reflections and other private events.

Discography

• The Harvest (debut record single)
• Allan’s Song (debut composition)
• Sway
• Natonzya
• Make Me
• Orikuura Akafunjo
• Game of Thrones Theme Song (rearranged by The Tabs)
• Omukazi Yeiba Enyama

Style

The Tabs Ug’s original music is a combination of sounds from Uganda and other foreign sounds including classical, pop, and folk.

Members

Allan Watson Waswa – A self taught violinist and actor. He wanted to have the violin in 2003 after listening to a 1999 Dixie Chicks song Cowboy Take Me Away that featured the violin. He however didn’t get a chance to see, touch or play one until December 2015 after he joined the Milege Acoustic Project. He took lessons on Youtube and later got help from Alison Nadunga of Milege, Bonny Evangel and Jonathan Beggs of Kampala Symphony Orchestra.

David Tayebwa – Guitarist and Music Business student at Makerere University. Before the Tabs, David played for a number of bands before he travelled to Europe for a musicpreneurship course. When he returned he did solo projects and later met Allan with whom they formed The Tabs Ug.

Meris Nakigudde - A self taught keyboardist and pharmacist. She plays in church in Rubaga. She has been part of The Tabs since July 2017.