By Watchdog reporter
As we mourn the death of South Africa based Ugandan tycoon Ivan Semwanga who breathed his last on a Thursday morning, we have decided to bring you the life and times of the fallen showbiz ‘king’.
Semwanga was born on 12 December, 1977 (39 years) in Nakaliro Kayunga District. He rose to the socialite fame more than a decade ago after making it big in South Africa.
He is one of the Ugandans who went to South Africa for greener pastures and by the time of his death, he had really made a fortune with multi-million Business Empire which included Schools (Found in South Africa), students’ hostel, and apartments among others.
Besides Mike Ezra, Semwanga has been defined as the ‘modern father of Showbiz’ in Uganda simply because he gave the definition of socialite a whole new look. All the current socialites we have, learnt the game from the Late.
According to an online media Big Eye, Ivan met his Ex-wife also mother of his children Zari Hassan in 2000 after being dumped by her first husband.
It is alleged that the businessman accumulated his wealth after working as a ritualist in a local shrine in South Africa by duping rich South Africans on grounds that their problems would be washed away with the holy water he used to give them.
After making some good cash as a Sangoma, Semwanga decided to venture into education services. Ivan set up Brooklyn Colleges which has 6 branches spread across Durban, Pretoria and Jo’Burg specializing in IT, Mining and Policing services among others.
The late also owned two posh houses in Sandton and Pretoria South Africa as well a luxurious mansion in Kampala though by the time of his death, this Munyonyo based house was up for sale. He has left behind a fleet of expensive monster rides which include Hammers, Benz, BMWs among others.
In 2011, Semwanga spent over a billion shillings on his introduction ceremony to Zari, though years later the couple called it a quit after Zari accusing Semwanga of domestic violence.
He was later rumoured to be dating several ladies who included Sharon O, Lira Galore (Rick Ross’s ex) but we don’t know how these relationships ended.
The money bag has been known for living a classy and luxurious life; in short he has been a big spender who has been causing chaos in almost every expensive happening spot in Uganda not because of fights but due to his spending habit.
On the side of charity, Semwanga will always be remembered by his big giving heart, in his jolly times, Semwanga always shared a little of what he had, through donating to the needy. He also had a charity organization thousands of people benefited from it.
He is survived by three children, all from Zari.
May his Soul Rest In Peace!
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