Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, a Senegalese-American singer, rapper, songwriter, music producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, famously known as Akon, arrived in Uganda today for a business visit.
Today, Senegalese-American entrepreneur, philanthropist, record producer, songwriter and record artist Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam (aka Akon) arrived in Uganda for business purposes.
- Akon, a Senegalese-American singer and investor, has arrived in Uganda.
- Began Akon Lighting Africa in 2014 to back solar energy projects in many African countries.
- He discovered his grandmother in Senegal still used candles to light her home.
- Announced plans in 2018 to build a $6 billion futuristic Pan-African city in Senegal “Akon City”.
- The Ain’t No Peace singer will meet Ugandan President Museveni and Mufti Mubaje.
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Eddy Kenzo, a tourism ambassador and fellow musician, welcomed the Ain’t No Peace singer. Abbey Walusimbi, the Senior Presidential Advisor for Diaspora Affairs, and other government officials were present to welcome the singer.
”Our son Akon and his delegation have safely reached Uganda thanks to God’s mercies on their journey,” Walusimbi said.
Isaac Kigozi, Trade and Investment Officer at the Ugandan government’s office of the President, says the musician’s visit will benefit Uganda greatly.
He noted that Uganda is lucky to host Akon, an established businessman and music star who never gave up on the African dream.
“His investment success is reflected in projects such as the Afro-futuristic Akon City in Senegal and his mining business in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo.,” Kigozi said.
He says, “We appreciate President Museveni for creating a secure and favourable environment that attracts big investors like Akon to invest not only their hard-earned money but also their hard work. The security, peace, and infrastructure provided by government facilitate the arrival of such investors.,”
Akon started the Akon Lighting Africa group in 2014 to support solar energy projects in rural Africa. His grandmother still had to use candles in Senegal to light her home, and this inspired him to do something about it.
Akon announced in 2018 plans to build a futuristic, $6 billion, Pan-African smart city in Senegal called “Akon City”. The 800-hectare solar-powered city will feature shopping malls, music studios, and tourist resorts among other attractions.
In Uganda, we hope the singer will reciprocate the same.
The Ain’t No Peace singer will also visit religious institutions and tourism sites during his stay in Uganda. In addition to meeting the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadan Mubaje, the singer will also meet President Museveni.
