Kanyike; the man, the party and the dance! How he melted hearts 

Allan ‘Dynamite’ Kanyike was one of the most recognizable figures in Kampala’s social and party scenes. Renowned for his animated antics, affable character and free-spirited lifestyle, he befriended whoever he came across.

That’s why his death due to complications from high blood pressure saddened many. He was 59. On the night of September 11, 2010, Allan Kanyike turned out at Club Obbligato to watch the Afrigo band.

Hardcore Afrigo fans are a tight-knit group who can easily spot a “newcomer.” The reason I remember this Saturday night is because it was in remembrance of the 9/11 attacks on the USA, and it was also the first time Afrigo was performing at the venue after a two-month security hiatus in the wake of the July 10, 2010, bombings at Kyadondo and Kabalagala that left scores dead.

Whereas new Afrigo fans tend to be more reserved, Kanyike was full of vigour. At one point, he climbed onto the stage and dished out Shs 50,000 notes to every band member, much to the applause of the audience. Amidst all this, he was viewed as a big-spending “musama” out to show off his worth. It was a rapturous induction to the Afrigo fan base, and his face became instantly recognized.

However, a few minutes past midnight, power abruptly went off, and almost instantly, Kanyike dived under a table and stayed motionless for almost a minute while everyone remained relaxed, waiting for the generator to come on. Revellers were bewildered at his conduct, and when normalcy returned, he openly told whoever cared to listen that he feared a bomb was going to go off after the power blackout.

To calm him down, he was assured that power outages are very normal in Uganda. A relieved Kanyike couldn’t hide his relief and excitement as he ordered a round for everyone around. One thing he told whoever cared to listen was that he had just returned to Uganda a few days earlier to enjoy his early retirement.

His refined English accent quickly won the hearts of the ladies around, but little did anyone know this would be the start of Kanyike’s rollercoaster retirement. In fact, it kicked off what would become the most party-fueled persona in the land.

THE PARTY ANIMAL

In just a few months, Kanyike had become a renowned figure at Kampala live band hangouts. If he was not at Zone 7 in Bugolobi to watch the Janzi band, he would be at the Grand Imperial hotel for Simba Ngoma. He rarely rested and always made sure he had his favourite Tusker Lager on hand.

He also loved making instant friendships. Kanyike would instantly become your friend, whether you were a senior lawyer or a boda boda rider. He also loved public affection and always made his presence felt wherever he was. A simple “hi” to Kanyike would always escalate into a big chat and culminate in a selfie. He often talked about how he grew up in opulence but planned well for his retirement.

At Obbligato, he tipped every service provider, right down to the security, waitresses, and even chefs. He was a man on a spending spree, and much as he exuded the arrogance associated with “basama,” he was a very friendly lad.
 
THE DANCE

For all his attributes, Kanyike soon came to be known for his explosive dance routine, often performed at the centre of the dance floor. As if possessed, his weird way of flexing his hands forward as he moved his upper body in a cyclic motion required a bigger dancing space. The eye-catching routine would shift into synchronized hand and head movements. He used so much energy that the dance was a showcase of his strength and agility.

The dance came to be known as the “Kanyike dance,” and with its explosiveness, he fittingly declared himself the “Dynamite.” It didn’t matter which song was playing; Kanyike was always hyper and delivered, and he often had the audience rooting for him.

On the flipside, this came with inconveniences because he was in everyone’s face and space. For instance, he would, at every opportunity, storm the stage to dance, something that greatly inconvenienced performers and revellers. To some people, his actions were borderline nuisances. It reached a point when Moses Matovu, the Afrigo band leader, had to ban him for some time in 2015. But being a free spirit, Kanyike always found his way back.
 
THE MAN

It turned out that the years away from Uganda had given him a taste for adventure and excitement in Kampala’s nightlife. He quickly became the life of the party in Kampala.

People couldn’t get enough of Kanyike’s energy and enthusiasm. At all events he attended, he was always the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave. He made everyone feel young again and reminded them to live life to the fullest.

He also enjoyed hanging out with celebrities and an array of female—mostly young—friends, as if to show that age is just a number and that you can always make the most out of life, no matter how old you are.

But with time, the once free-spending Kanyike wised up and toned down his spending. The booze-filled parties at his Ntinda home dwindled, and he began moving with small cash denominations, which he tipped performers and other celebrities with.
 
THE SLOWDOWN

The Covid-19 lockdown seemed to slow him down, and a viral social media meme labelled him “the most hurt person of the lockdown.” It didn’t help matters when his son, Dr Ian Bwete, succumbed to Covid-19 in 2020. The two had a very close bond, and from then on, Kanyike slowed down on the partying.

Hardly a week passed without him mourning his son through social media posts but, nonetheless, he still found time to hang out. It came as a shock on December 22 when news broke that he had died. An outpouring of grief filled social media platforms, and whereas many reminisced about his warmth and friendliness, the most inspirational takeaway was the fact that the Dynamite lived his retirement life to the fullest.