Grace Nakimera: I believe in kneeling for my man

Grace, how would you best describe yourself?

I am a princess and staunch Muganda woman. I grew up in very many places since I was raised by a single mother; my father died when I was three years old and my mother taught us everything. We were five children, but sadly our brother passed on.

Sorry about that…

I went to Bat Valley primary school and then Old Kampala S.S.S; however, my mother couldn’t [afford the school fees] so, I studied a saloon course that took me into beauty and I started working right away in a hair saloon. I had to pay rent at a very early age, I had bills and that made me work and also figure out many things on my own.

However, I had already started singing and I was in and out of Uganda, singing at Hotel des Mille Collines in Rwanda. When I got some money I came back to Uganda. My brother Jjunju was also working there and supported my music. He is the one who introduced me to music and I was well paid. I came back to Kampala and started a hair saloon and promoted my music.

There has also been a marriage, right?

Yes, I got married for a bit – that’s very funny to say – I was married for over 10 years to [Norwegian photographer Andre Ringen] and I have a 14-year-old daughter with him. However, I am a mother to very many people [through her charity organizations]. We broke up with Andre some time back but we remained good friends. We raise our daughter together – she is in the UK studying. I have been in four relationships in my life.

A mother! How do you remain in such good shape?

I have some health routines, I also love taking lemon water and ginger. I lose weight without going to the gym. I can never leave home without my warm lemon water bottle; it makes me tick, stay in shape and forever look young [there; you have it, ladies.]

And do you have a stylist?

No. I style myself; I love to look good and this goes for my hair as well. Since I studied hair and beauty, I know more about hair. At times I need to charge my inner diva or swag, so the hair I have right now was inspired by Tina Turner, but with waves.

So, what would I find in your wardrobe?

I love comfort, but I also love looking cute. I dress differently; like, if you have a date, one has to put some simple make up – I hate too much makeup – wear heels and a cute dress. [I also have] jeans, t shirts, sneakers, jewellery – I love jewellery and I have a lot of it.

I love shoes; I have like 70 pairs, but I love accessories too much because they look too classy. I had some expensive diamond rings but they stole them and it hurt.

Talking about dates, are you dating again?

I am engaged to someone; a very fine, good man. He makes me very happy. And also to the ladies, a man has to find you when you are hardworking and also be able to do your own things.

I am happy that I found a good man and he is supportive of my work and loves me unconditionally. He is kind and gives me peace. We are to get married soon. In the meantime, I am praying for twins!

Well, good luck! What do you think about the TV gossip shows?

I can’t speak about the shows but I’ll speak about the people that speak evil about others. I don’t know about these bloggers and the media; there is too much hate; they can easily send a person into depression or to start taking drugs.

You are making a music comeback. What inspired you again?

Actually last year I won an award as gospel artiste of the year. It is just that I am no longer in secular music, I am into gospel music. I am serving the Lord now.

I am now a born-again Christian and I love God. God chose me, and there is something I got from being a born-again as a personal experience, that I had not received in being a Catholic. I even stopped taking alcohol; I thank God that I can stand and say it has been two years of not drinking alcohol.

Pray tell; at what age should a child own a smartphone?

It depends on some situations; a child should own a smartphone when they are 15 years old, but my daughter got hers when she was 13, because she is in the UK studying. We are supposed to communicate all the time on phone.

You are into charity; what are some of the projects?

Actually we have two homes; one is in Iganga – Mukono, Bukere and the other one is in the process of being finished; however, God has been kind and good.

My issue is about food; we take food to people, then shelter, because most of the people that don’t have a meal also don’t have where to stay. That’s how I got into the homes, but we are helping orphans, abandoned children … in most cases I use money out of my own pocket to run these charities, but there are also people who help us.

What else do you do?

I am an entrepreneur. I do different businesses and I am also into real estate. Currently, there is a piece of land I am selling in Najjera. It is very good, fertile land.

Are you a pet lover?

I love dogs very much. I have two dogs, Spotty and Teddybear, but I hate cats.

Would you still perform your secular songs?

No. If it’s that song, I tell the host that I can’t sing it again, because I love my God very much.

You didn’t go to Gulu for ‘some money’!

I have a rich heart so, I don’t like begging. However, it’s good; I hope those who got the money do something meaningful with it.

What inspires your music?

Yansasira was a story of what happened to me; God had mercy on me, yet I didn’t deserve any mercy. Then Twandibaddewa [her latest] – indeed where would I be without Christ!

So, all my music is based on true stories. Kawonawo was also inspired by my life experience, Bwoba Sexy was inspired by the period of feeling beautiful – the young youthful days. But I thank God for everything.

What don’t people know about you?

I can’t handle a liar and I hate people who lie to me. And, I am a very good cook, I bake and I’m also a typical Muganda – a traditional woman who believes in kneeling for her man, serving him food when he gets back home…

What can we expect from you next?

I am working on a song called God of Fire and it’s something that I went through spiritually and God fought for me. This is a very epic song and it is going to touch people’s hearts. 

nkwanzishibbabariyo@gmail.com