Somewhere in the posh suburbs of Naguru, where streets are abandoned at night and high concrete walls almost cause claustrophobia, Ketra Nakitende felt safe not just riding, but resting her tired head on the back of her boda guy. Little did she know this was about to be one of the worst days of her life.
On Valentine’s Day 2019, Ketra Nakitende awoke with a thrill that had little to do with roses or chocolates. Her heart raced not for a lover, but for a mission: planning a surprise birthday bash for their mutual friend, Green. But Green was no ordinary friend. He was the manager of two popular comedians, Madrat and Chiko. This was not just a party; it was a spectacle in the making. Picture a venue humming with anticipation, the air thick with the scent of exclusivity. The guest list included the who’s who of Kampala’s social class; celebrities, socialites, influencers – all gathered under one roof. Cameras were staged in all corners not just to capture the moments but also scoop fodder for tabloid gossip. It was going to be a night where laughter and glamour collided in a dazzling display of star power. Back home, Nakitende breastfed her eight-month-old baby before rushing off to her workstation at STV where she was doing her internship. Her plan was to do her assignments fast and complete them by 3pm so that she could dedicate the rest of the evening and night to the surprise party. The venue at Garden City had to be paid for and decorated, the birthday cake had to be picked from the baker and a few calls had to be made to swear people to secrecy as she invited them to the party.
As someone who was trying to make a mark on the gossip television landscape herself, Nakitende convinced her superiors to allow her attend the party with some television equipment so that she could also cover the celebrity birthday for her station. At 5pm, Nakitende and her co-conspirators met at the venue and planned how to ensure there were enough guises to lure Green to his birthday party without him finding out. Nakitende would spend the evening not only running the party but also shooting videos worthy of a good gossip TV show. “While there was so much fun and celebration going on, I was personally not feeling the vibe, for no apparent reason at all. I just felt like something was off and I could not put a finger to it. So I figured that if I left early and went home to my baby, my heart would be at peace again,” Nakitende says…….CONTINUE READING…………
