American rapper Kanye West and wife, also reality TV star, Kim Kardashian are in Uganda, reliable sources including the Uganda Tourism Board have told SoftPower News.
Kanye West also known as ‘Ye’ arrived in the country on Friday. He was then flown by a chopper North of the country to the luxurious Chobe Safari Lodge in Murchison Falls national park where the couple will be residing for the next seven days.
Kim had arrived ahead of Kanye, a reliable source in the tourism sector told this website.
The internationally acclaimed rapper is making the last touches on his ninth studio album titled ‘Yandhi’. Initially, the album was scheduled for release on September 29 but it was pushed ahead.
Appearing on TMZ, recently, West said he hoped to record some of the songs in Africa. It is this reason that brings him to Uganda.
Ugandan production house and record label, Swangz Avenue has confirmed that it is working with Kanye.
“I can’t tell you much. But it is true that he [Kanye West] is in the country and yes, we are working,” Julius Kyazze, the Swangz Avenue boss told SoftPower News on Saturday.
Pressed to disclose details, Kyazze said “We are working. That’s all I can say. Sorry I can’t say much”.
Sections of the Murchison falls national park will provide sets for music video scenes.
There have been reports that the entire Chobe lodge is on lock down and access has been restricted for the entire period when the two stars will be there.
This was confirmed by John Ssempebwa, the deputy Executive Director for Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) on Saturday.
“Kanye West’s visit is a private visit. He is in Chobe and Chobe is locked. We can’t access it and because of who he is, he has denied us interviews. To get to him is a problem,” Ssempebwa said.
“We know he is going to record songs for his next album. And that is going to make Uganda popular”.
He said that for a musician of Kanye’s stature to shoot a music video in Uganda is huge, and will put the country in global spotlight.
“For the first time, we will have a video of a mega star. He’s here with the wife. So, hopefully, we shall have video clips of her enjoying herself at Chobe,” he added.
Popular American reality TV show, ‘Keeping Up With the Kardashians’ which features Kim and airs on E! averages around 3 million viewers. It is likely that there will be scenes shot for the show during their stay in Uganda, largely showcasing wildlife.
On how long Kanye and Kim will be in Uganda, Ssempebwa said that the Lodge has been booked for a full week.
Information Minister, Frank Tumwebaze took to Twitter to welcome the rapper to Uganda.
“Welcome Kanye West to the Pearl of Africa beautiful Uganda. Thank you for choosing the home of: the equator , chimps, rich cultures, great people mountain gorillas, Rwenzori ranges & many other gifts of nature in our Flora & Fauna species,” Tumwebaze tweeted on Saturday.