Thousands of hip-hop and R&B fans in Uganda have been thrilled at a
concert by Senegalese-American entertainer Akon.

(AD1) KAMPALA, UGANDA (MAY 10, 2008) REUTERS -

Senegalese-American hip hop and R&B entertainer Akon thrilled
fans in Uganda on Saturday (May 10) during a long-awaited concert.
    Ugandan chart-topper Bebe Cool curtain-raised for Akon and was followed
by Nigerian duo P-Squared who helped to further warm up the crowd.
    Akon was meant to have performed in Uganda about two weeks ago but the
concert was cancelled because the star was sick. Many fans in neighbouring
Kenya still feel jilted after the singer cancelled a December concert.
    But all was forgotten by Ugandans when Akon took the stage and
performed some his hits like "Locked Up", "Ghetto",
"Smack That" and "Don't Matter".
    "Akon, he basically played everything I wanted to hear,
everything, that's it. You know what, yeah, this is a guy we have been waiting
for for the last, I don't know how long, but he represented for real,"
said one fan.
    Other fans said they would have preferred a live performance rather
than hear Akon sing along to a pre-recorded track.