By Polly Kamukama
It’s been 13 years since they took the first edition of Big Brother Africa by storm with their sizzling romance.
And now, our very own Gaetano Kagwa and South African Abby Plaatjes are set for an epic reunion at this year’s Uganda Entertainment Awards (UEA).
The former reality TV stars are among a slew of celebrities expected to grace the glitzy Aug 19 do at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
The awards’ CEO Kabs Haloha has revealed to us in an exclusive interview that Abby is set to arrive in the country on Thursday evening ahead of the Friday show.
The 38-year-old mother of two who has since built a successful career as an events emcee and media personality in Tanzania will be in company of her equally famous compatriot and colleague Bonang Matheba, who will cover this year’s UEA for American entertainment TV giant E!
Gaetano, also now an accomplished actor and media personality, is on the other hand set to present an award at the event together with his Beneath the Lies series co-stars.
Hitherto unknown to the world, Gaetano and Abby grabbed headlines with their saucy love affair while housemates in the controversial Big Brother Africa reality TV show back in 2003.
Their brazen relationship was epitomised with several steamy romps before live cameras while millions of viewers around the world sat back at home and watched in shock.
The 44-year-old hunky Ugandan eventually lost out to Zambia’s Cherise Makubale on the $100,000 (about Shs337m) grand prize after making it to the finals.
But his fairytale lovestory with the South African beauty initially looked destined for a happy ending.
After the show, the two lovebirds returned together to hero’s welcome in Uganda, and a smitten Gaetano went on to introduce Abby to his parents.
But as is the case with most whirlwind romances, the fascinating love tale of Gae and Abby was soon gone with the wind as the duo got swallowed up in the world of showbiz.
For several years after 2003, Gaetano earned a reputation as a prolific lothario in Kampala while Abby returned the favour on the other side of the continent.
To their credit, however, the two former flames have since put their legendary seductive skills to bed and are now happily married to different partners.
The duo has had a few awkward post Big Brother meetings in the past, and their impeding reunion at the second annual edition of the UEA is likely to evoke lustful memories.
About UAE
Incepted last year, UEA seeks to transform Uganda’s entertainment industry by celebrating its most outstanding personalities on a global platform.
A total of 47 awards will be given out at this year’s ceremony with singers Eddy Kenzo and Sheebah Karungi leading the nomination pack with six and five nods, respectively.
The pair will go neck and neck for the Artiste of the Year and Best Video categories with the Queen tipped for triumph.
Nigerian Singer Yemi Alade of the Johnny fame, Kenyan outfits Sauti Sol and Tanzania’s Ali Kiba will join a slew of top Ugandan acts to provide the entertainment at the hotly-billed event.
Tickets to the show are selling at Shs50,000 and Shs100,000 for ordinary and VIP seats, respectively. Corporate tables go for Shs 3m each. You can now buy your ticket online at jumia.com and easyticket.co.ug as well as Serena Hotel.
