BY BOY FIDEL LEON
Ugandan singer Desire Tusiimire has advanced to the knockout phase of Airtel’s The Voice Africa competition after a stunning performance in the 17th episode that aired on Sunday, June 18th, 2023.
Tusiimire competed against Rinah Arifenitra from Madagascar and emerged victorious with their duet performance of “You are beautiful” by Christina Aguilera. Tusiimire was saved by her coach, Awilo Logombas, a Congolese Soukous musician and one of the most respected Congolese artists on the African and European continent.
Last week’s episode of the competition featured Coach Awilo’s team, which comprised three Ugandan talents and those from Madagascar, Nigeria, Rwanda, Niger, Malawi, and Gabon. The contestants competitively battled for a spot in the next phase of the vocal contest. Awilo formed seven duets and chose a song for each pair to battle each other for a spot in the knockout phase of the competition.
Other battles included Congo Brazzaville’s Capricia Koumba versus Madagascar’s Fanoela Manantsoa singing “I want it that way” by Backstreet Boys. Awilo chose Manantsoa to advance to the next phase. Rwanda’s Belinda Uwase, who embodied Rihanna’s hit song “We found love”, won Kesia Ruth from Malawi. Kitary Coulibaly from Niger and Dapo Zaccheus from Nigeria put up a boy-band-worthy performance. Awilo saved Kitary to advance to the next phase, and Cilia Jules from Congo Brazzaville won Bessitbaye Togasra after their “Belia” by Gims performance.
Unfortunately, Uganda’s Charles Ssekitoleko lost to Esther Chitheka from Malawi after singing “Flash Light” by Jesse J, and Ronny Ssemujju lost to Solene Ada from Gabon after their “Panic! At the Disco” performance. Unlike episode 16, where Coach Yemi Alade saved Rwanda’s Linda Montez from elimination after she was dropped by Coach Locko, last week’s episode had no saves from the coaches, leaving seven talents eliminated from the competition. Coaches have the option to save a talent in case they are dropped by their original coach.
“Airtel as a brand continues to give Ugandans A reason to imagine by providing a platform for Ugandan talent to showcase their abilities on an international stage.” Press release statement.
There is still hope for another Ugandan, Sharon Kyolinakyo, to advance to the knockouts, as the next episode will have her battling fellow teammates on Coach Lady Jaydee’s team. This will be the last set of duet battles before talents advance to the knockouts and live shows where their fate will lie in the hands of the audience.
The race to the $100,000 grand prize, Airtel goodies, and a recording contract with Universal Studios, the leading music producers in the world, continues this Sunday at 8:00 pm on cable TV, free-to-air, Airtel TV, and on YouTube across the continent. Tusiimire’s impressive performance has generated excitement and support from fans and music lovers in Uganda and across the continent, and many are rooting for her to go all the way and win the competition. The Voice Africa competition is a massive singing contest in Africa, and has launched the careers of several successful musicians, including Cassper Nyovest, Amanda Black, and Waje.
