Ugandan siblings Esther and Ezekile Mutesasira have been crowned the winners of the first edition of East Africa’s Got Talent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWEtYnkOkI8
The singing duo won a cash prize of $50,000 (Kshs 5M) in the Sunday night (06.10.19) grand finale that was full of pomp and colour. The 2nd runner up was Kenya’s Janell Tamara and the 1st runner up was Rwandese group Inteyoberana.
The finale comprised of six finalists, these were Comedic Dance Group from Uganda, Dance Alliance Network (D.N.A ) from Uganda, Jehovah Shalom Acapella from Uganda, Janell Tamara from Kenya, 40 member Spellcast from Kenya and Inteyoberana cultural troupe from Rwanda.
Esther and Ezekiel’s rendition of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey’s When You Believe’, won over judges and viewers who cast their votes as well as commended them using the hashtag #EAGTFinale.
Ugandan siblings Esther and Ezekiel win the first ever East Africa's Got Talent #TheSauce #EAGT @SimonCowell pic.twitter.com/4Qo3cuNlvX
— The Sauce (@TheSauceKe) October 6, 2019
The show which began in August 2019 had a total of 8 episodes. The show judges were, Jeff Koinange from Kenya, Vanessa Mdee from Tanzania, Makeda Machado from Rwanda and Gaetano Kagwa from Uganda. Bongo singer Ommy Dimpoz was the guest artist at the show’s culmination which was hosted by Uganda’s Anne Kansiime.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni sent his congratulation to the duo in a tweet soon after they were announced winners.
My grandchildren have told me about our talented bazukulu Esther and Ezekiel, who have won an East African Talent competition this evening. I am told they are very good singers. I congratulate them. pic.twitter.com/uIXBDdt9Xt
— Yoweri K Museveni (@KagutaMuseveni) October 6, 2019
As reported by The Sauce, the competition is part of the Got Talent franchise owned by Simon Cowell. It drew participation from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania and hosts Kenya.