Oh yes; artists like David Kibuuka are indeed of your generation. Are you in touch?
He could still be doing art, but we rarely meet [the last Quick Talk heard, Kibuuka was based in the diaspora.]
So, which of the young artists should Ugandans watch closely?
They are many, but some are not serious. There is one Ibra Mukiibi – a very talented young man, but he is not serious.
Oh dear! So Mzee, are you digital or analogue?
[Laughs] We are the ones who started digital. You can’t develop and use it; we the old developed it for you to use. I started interacting with computers in 1971. [What?!] Those days computers were huge and the process was cumbersome.
What about social media?
Yeah, I have a smartphone. [Shows off his smartphone].
How did you hone such a soft talent as art, yet you are a soldier, a profession associated with violence and toughness?
There was no problem … I was not conscripted in the army but I joined voluntarily after [Apollo Milton] Obote had mistreated Ugandans. We had the opportunity to fight for Uganda. I remember Kasirye Gwanga, Omulangira Ssuna (Kabaka’s brother), Sam Jingo, and one Njuki.
It is in Kenya that I started serious art, although I had been doing freelance art since senior two.
I used to do portraits for Kabaka [Freddie Mutesa] and Obote. Obote’s portraits were easy because of his head.
Hahaha! His signature parted afro? May he rest in peace. Now, about family, do you only have one child? [Every one talks about socialite Malaika Nnyanzi]
No! There is another one called Kyamuwendo ‘Cham’ Nnyanzi.
Yiiii! Just two?
[Laughs] Yeah, those are the ones I know. I was careful [laughs]. I defined my destiny.
Malaika describes you as a tough father…
Ampayiriza [she’s lying]. That is what people think. I will be tough when it’s necessary, but not unnecessarily. Maybe I don’t waste time. I could be serious, but not tough. I do things at the right time.
She is quite popular. Do you watch her on TV?
No! I only listen to her. I don’t watch because I don’t believe in gambling [presently Malaika hosts Supa 3, a betting show]. And she is also a presenter on radio.
Of course I feel happy that she is loved. I pray for her to be humble and take her fans seriously; unfortunately, I detest watching the betting show, but I used to watch her on Urban TV.
When did you last see her?
Yiiiii, I don’t remember. But those are complications of digital age.
What are digital age parents not doing right?
[Throwing his hands in the air:] It is hard to understand circumstances that shape people, but at the end of the day, it’s an individual. I don’t remember anyone telling me what to do. You can tell a child everything, but [at the end of the day], they make their own choices.
Today children have access to information … our days there was no pornography and those who had it, it was kept far. Today parents should up their game in raising their children. [They should] reason with them but not dictating.
I agree.
Family can advise you, but they can’t be with you all the time. What I did was not to give my children English names. That is why I have Malaika – angel. [Kyamuwendo, the other child, means precious].
What do you have against English names?
Siri Mzungu nze [I am not European].
Fair enough; if God blessed you with more babies, what would you do different?
Not again! It won’t happen and I don’t want that. I don’t want other children asking my child why she or he is bringing the grandfather to school.
Hahaha…And if you could change anything?
I would change nothing. I move forward, I don’t cry for spilt milk.
During your heyday, how did you express affection to girls?
[Laughs with nostalgia] By writing letters and talking. For some of us it was easy because we were artists; to be seen with me was a privilege.
I see a lot of letters on social media, but our days it was dedication of songs [Ahhh yes…that footnote that came with every love letter: “Special Dedication…”]
We also had cinema halls along Kampala road [Norman Cinema, which is currently Watoto Church central] where we could take our friends.
Hmm, these days we even split the bill. Heee. What do you listen to, ssebo?
Afrigo band, kadongokamu, Michael Jackson. I also had a chance to meet The Fugees [American hip hop group comprising Wyclef Jean, Lauryn Hill and Pras Michel]. I also like Ziwuuna band, Lionel Richie, and Cliff Richard.
Locally, there was Chance Nalubega, although I don’t know where she went [like you, bwana, she is around], Mowzey Radio [RIP], Stabua Natooro…
What about Parte after Parte?
[Laughs] I hear it, but I don’t feel it. It must be one good song, but I don’t know the singer’s name.
Who is Nnyanzi?
Nuwa Nnyanzi was born to Henry Wilberforce Wamala and Erina Bachayaya Atwooki of Mityana district. He is the third-born of their 19 children, although two are now deceased.
justuslyatuu08@gmail.com