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Singers whose music celebrates womanhood
Maureen Nantume
What you need to know:
Pioneer. We live in a new age of female empowerment. Independent women are no longer rare or frowned upon. If fact more women are now taking up responsibility of fighting for those who are still under subjugation. The music industry has provided these women a ready and popular platform of change for women who have something empowering and powerful to say against the plight of women writes, Gabriel Buule.
Music has always been a tool of communication in our culture. So it is not surprising that Ugandan female entertainers chose the same platform to talk about their originality, mindsets, artistry and determination in chasing dreams as they strive to take their place alongside men. They have become the voice of a generation determined to ride on and further the gender equality movement started by our mothers. Legendary artiste Jack Sserunkuuma Kinobe suggests that besides theatre, music has been at the centre in regards to addressing women rights and it has been a powerful ally in making women confident and thus helping them to stand tall in a society where their rights have always been undermined.
Maureen Nantume
Maureen Nantume is a gorgeous and talented singer with the popular Golden Band the splinter group from Eagles Production. Her own story of transformation from a house maid to a celebrated entertainer is an inspiration to every girl, woman or person who has ever had a dream they thought was too big to accomplish because of their current circumstances. Nantume was raised by a single mother (Robinah Nakitende) who struggled to send her to school even though she could not afford to. Following her mother’s death, she found herself in limbo, without a home or a family to call her own. When Nantume sings, she sings from the heart. With time and age, she has come to understand that her plight was not unique that many women go through the same challenges and as such, need someone to tell them that they can make it. Her single Sili Ndogoyi, which decried women being over burdened with work clicked with a massive audience and firmly launched her into Afro-pop music stardom. Currently, the singer has a song called Ndi Muzadde where she sings about parenting and the dilemma mothers go through, asking God to help her children survive the scary world where inhumane acts continue to reign.
Rema Namakula
Rema Namakula’s music catalogue is full of uplifting songs celebrating life and love and relationships. Last year, on Women’s Day, the singer organised an entire concert dedicated to women dubbed Banyabo which was also the title of her hit song. Recently, she released ‘Katonotono’ calling men out to keep their love life alive by doing small things that can keep women happy other than pleasing them with bigger gestures that do not add up. Recently the singer released another song Sili Muyembe, presumably a satirical lyric that calls out men to act quickly on marriage or risk other serious men doing the needful.
Racheal Magoola
Racheal Magoola is a well-known social activist whose music is composed around issues affecting her community. Who can forget the club banger Obangaina. In the song, Magoola dares to question her errant husband’s whereabouts. She thus details the challenges women face in their marriages.
Her recent album Elisaida has a compilation of a multitude of social topics ranging from politics to marriage and family.
Mariam Ndagire
With her poise and grace, Ndagire is one of the most influential women in the music industry who paved the path for future generations of confident female stars. Steeped deep in authentic Luganda, Ndagire obviously does not care much about popularity, but is more concerned about getting her message out there in a form that will provoke thought and, hopefully, change. Ndagire has had a thriving career in the entertainment industry as a radio presenter, actor and she now is making her mark as a movie producer. Her message packed music includes songs such as Abakazi Twalaba, Mwana Wange, and Maama that inspired many to music. In her song Abakazi Twalaba, the singer tackles the misogynistic stereotypes of our cultures that cast women as frail, dependent and unqualified to make life decisions such as the choice of a husband for themselves. It is a song that highlights the plight of every women who has ever found themselves in the throes of a crush, be it romantic or simply a deep platonic admiration but unable to express themselves to their object of desire. To her credit, Ndagire manages to talk about this highly contested matter without sounding combative and disrespectful.
Julian Kanyomozi
Who can forget Juliana Kanyomozi’s Nabikoowa? The monster hit is a defiant song of a woman refusing to put up with disrespect and philandering for the sake of being in a relationship. They say art imitates life and in singing about this issue Kanyomozi was spot on, because of the way she bounced from her own failed relationship and moved on with dignity and no drama. The song that in essence said “you do not own me” had so much resonance with the general population that its title was adapted in local speak. She also later collaborated with Bobi Wine and they came up with another intriguing pop song questioning the family responsibilities dubbed Taata Wa Banna Yanni (Who is the father of the kids). The award winning singer has more empowering songs such as Nkulinze (I am waiting for you) Mundeke, (Leave me alone,) Yiga empisa, (Learn manners,) and Enkwanzi Yange, (My bead,) among many.
Joanita Kawalya Jjjo
Joanita Kawalya is known for her activism as much as her being a member of Afrigo Band, the longest-standing band in Uganda, which has been in continuous existence since 1975. “Nkuba Nkukube Obwo Sibufumbo”, is the most popular line in her song Jim Nze Wuwo a popular song of the 90’s where Kawalya together with Afrigo Band sings for her lover reminding him to love her right and asking him to desist from acts of oppressing her.
Sandra Suubi
She is celebrated afro-soul singer who juggles both music and art aimed at women empowerment. The gospel artiste is famous for her song Nsiimye a song of thanksgiving to God and a dedication of her career to God. She however, recently released Togwaamu Suubi (Do not lose hope) a song comforting women going through challenges. The song has received massive airplay on secular radio stations and is one of the popular caller tunes especially for women who are inspired by its message of hope.
Honorary Mention
It is not a woman’s fight and that is why men who are enlightened have joined the struggle. Just like their counterparts they package their message the best way they know how; in lyrics. Singer Jamal alias Jamal Wasswa gained prominence for Abakyaala Balabye that talks about the plight of women in Uganda.
Brothers in arms
Others Include Silver Kyagulanyi whose lyrics moved in line with women rights in most of his songs. Other artistes include Nince Henry, Aziz Azion with the powerful and hauntingly beautiful Kaleke kasome hit, Haruna Mubiru with his monster hit “Ekitooke Kifa Nsalira” and Afro-soul star Kenneth Mugabi who has become the artiste of choice for many women because of his songs that include Nkwegomba, Nambi, and Oliwa.
Angella Katatumba
Angella Katatumba, is an activist with a musical gift which she uses to draw her attention to her causes. A survivor of domestic abuse, Katatumba even with her well-off upbringing is no stranger to the hardships that women face. Katatumba made her debut in 2005 when she released two albums Peace and Glad I’m Alive which were also used to raise awareness of the plight of northern Uganda after 21 years of war in a project dubbed (For You Gulu). Using her music she has been internationally and locally recognized for her relentless involvement in tackling humanitarian and environmental issues. Her reputation has made her the to-go-to artiste for exclusive and international events. Collaborating with several Ugandan female artistes she has released albums such as Supernatural Girl advocating for humanitarian works that saw her perform at the first ever United Nations World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey.
