I dance to Babirye’s music all the time, says Matembe

Babirye’s music has a way of resonating with people’s daily lives. I remember one of her first hits Yesu Beera Nange. That song often gave me inner peace whenever I listened to it. The other songs that have had the same effect on me include Njagala and Nzijukira mukama.
Then, there was that song she sang called Obutonotono. The message in that song says even the small things we do for others such as saying thank you matter a lot.
Most times, you find that we do good deeds for people but then they take our kind acts for granted. And, of course, the Maama song, who does not know that one? It is reflective of a real mother’s love and care.
There is hardly any mother out there who has not lived up to the message in that song. Babirye has really made such a big impact on many people through the messages in her songs.

Her take on Babirye’s former marriage
When I heard about her collapsing marriage, I was really saddened and hurt. It was quite unfortunate since some people came out to criticise her.

I felt that her image had been tainted. Just like in her case, many men out there always become insecure whenever their wives become high profile figures. They start to undermine them.

Despite what happened, I still admire her for not letting the breakup distract her from pursuing her music and purpose in life.

On Babirye pursuing politics
The other thing that I see which might taint her image is joining politics. When I heard about it, I got so concerned and worried. I wondered if it was not going to endanger or constrain her purpose in life.
I even called her personally and asked if she was really up to it. Instead of going and contesting in politics, I think she should sing songs aiming at transforming the political agenda of the country like the way the late South African singer Lucky Dube used to do. But who knows? May be her venturing into politics is such a good idea after all.

She might become such a huge positive influence on the other politicians.

What other women should learn from her
From the few previous interactions that I have had with Babirye, I realised that she is simple and humble. Also, she dresses very decently. I do not know why some other female musicians think that when they go and sing on stage, their outfits should be short and revealing, which is not the case with Babirye. She dresses the way a Christian woman should and for this reason, other women should learn from her.

Matembe’s appeal to Babirye
Despite her exemplary ways, one thing that I request her to work on is time management. She is such a poor time keeper probably because she has various engagements. I remember the time I invited her to sing at my son’s wedding, she kept all of us on tension because she did not arrive on time. I had to keep calling her until she reached. Babirye should work on this weakness.

Tomorrow:
In our next series of one outstanding woman celebrating another, lawyer and rights activist Jacqueline Asiimwe-Mwesige talks about Cissy Kagaba, the executive director of Anti-corruption Coalition Uganda