1. What is the competition?
Whatsapp Mania is an initiative of Vodafone Uganda that supports talented Ugandan Youth to achieve their dreams of becoming the next big music stars. Vodafone Uganda chose a music competition because we believe the music industry in Uganda has grown tremendously that it is now looked at by majority of the youth as a career that can inspire them to fulfil their dreams.
Vodafone is at the centre of this competition because we are passionate about empowering people to be confidently connected and to enable them achieve their dreams without barriers. This is why Vodafone Uganda are giving Ugandan youth an opportunity to use our WhatsApp service to turn their dreams into reality from the comfort of their homes, workplaces, and schools.
2. When did the competition start and when was date for closing entries?
The competition kicked off on 28th January, 2016 with a call for entries and it ran for 8 weeks until 24th March, 2016.
3. Who are the partners?
This should be seen as a talent search rather a music competition. So, this has been designed to ensure that it gives the winner a firm foundation to enable them succeed in their career.
We are working with Deuces Entertainment Group and Talent Africa, two of East Africa’s most respected music production houses, to nurture the winner to become the next music star.
Talent Africa is one of the top talent managers on the continent. It is has contributed to the successes of a number of music icons in Uganda including Jackie Chandiru, Lillian Mbabazi, Navio, The Mith, Keko, and many others. Deuces Entertainment has over the years distinguished itself as a top music production house. Besides managing Lillian Mbabazi, they have been behind most of the best music videos by top Ugandan and regional artistes.
4. Participation in the competition?
To participate in the competition, contestants had to purchase a Vodafone SIM Card or buy any mobile device from any of the Vodafone stores or outlets and load Vodafone power bundles of any amount, compose and record either a video or audio song using their phones and submit them to a WhatsApp number 0723000500.
5. How many entries were submitted?
More than 150 entries
6. How the winner is chosen
Once we received the entries, we uploaded them on our portal (http://www.vodafone.co.ug/) to give the public an opportunity to vote for the best entries. Every week, the best entries, as voted by the public, were identified and nominated to the list of Top 10. The judges chose the finalists from the best that were voted for by the public.
7. Who are the judges?
• Ken Daniels Kayongo; a renowned music producer and Swahili Nation singer.
• Moses Serugo; a seasoned entertainment and lifestyle journalist and music critic
• Peter Miles; a top musician having been on the scene for more than 15 years.
• Rukh-Shana Namuyimba; the communications manager at Vodafone Uganda
8. What will the winner of the competition get?
• The overall winner of the competition will get record deal worth Shs20 million from Talent Africa and Deuces Entertainment, a brand new 4G smartphone, and a plaque from Vodafone Uganda.
• The runner-up will also get an audio recording contract for one song. Looking at the package we have designed for the winner, it is appropriate to say that the winner will have the potential to become the next big thing in Uganda’s music industry.
9. Who are the finalists?
Michael Mpho (0723273411)
Penelope Nankunda
Fahad Bin Haruna
Charlene Kasumba
Winnie Kisa Nakabanda
Mc Young Wizy (0723233402)
Oloya Joel (0723010846)
Address K (0723128985)
Giga. S. Conso (0723251030)
Kenneth Robert
Leonard Muka
Catherine Hellen Nakiwala (0723268955)
Tumuhairwe Derrick (0723336650)
Kisakye Elijah (0723274764)