SIMON BILL CLINTON MATOVU, 27, is steadily carving out a name in Uganda’s creative industry.
A content creator, model, stage producer and videographer in addition to a corporate logistics job, he has produced a number of notable shows such as the Baby & Kids expo, Northern Uganda fashion week, Art In Me festival and others.
Quick Talk caught up with him at Mambo restaurant where he is also a marketing manager.
Good afternoon, Bill; nice to finally meet you.
Nice to meet you too, Quick Talk … basing on your WhatsApp profile picture I thought you were a lady!
[Ha. Quick Talk will take that as a compliment.] I get that a lot. Tell Quick Talk more about yourself.
I am Simon Bill Clinton Matovu. I do content for brands. I am also a model, stage producer, videographer and many other things.
You are named after an American president?
I am a Bill Clinton product; the former president came to Uganda the same year I was born; so many of the kids that where born in 1998 are named after him.
Could you tells Quick Talk about your education?
I am a graduate from Kyambogo University with a bachelor’s in Public Administration and Resource Governance. I later pursued a certificate at [Douglas Lwanga’s] Purple Skills Klinic in Content Creation and Production.
How did someone with public administration qualifications end up in the creative industry?
Even before I went into Content Creation, I was already a professional model. So, it was through modelling that I was introduced to Douglas Lwanga at Purple Skills Klinic, and they wanted a model to be the face of the school, and after, they gave me a bursary to study what I wanted; so, I chose videography and production.
How did you start modelling?
I think it was in 2020 when I entered modelling because I had passion for it. They were doing a casting call at German Model Management. I went for it but didn’t qualify.
For us boys, the height has to be there and everything. So, my height was kind of short. I didn’t qualify, but they still enrolled me to work backstage. I saw that as a very big opportunity, and that’s how I became a model eventually.
Was that your childhood dream?
In my childhood, I can’t say that this is what I wanted. But, as time went on, people were telling me that I was photogenic. ‘You can join modeling’. ‘You’re confident enough’. ‘You can hit the runway’. That’s how I started considering modelling.
Currently, you are a stage and show producer…
I learnt that through the German Model Management I told you about. Through working backstage, I learnt a lot of things. There was a gentleman called Mr. Jerome; he was like my mentor, he helped me a lot, and everything I know and what I am today is because of him.
Which shows have you worked on as the lead producer?
I have produced a number of shows such as Baby & Kids Expo, Northern Uganda fashion week, Suki fashion show, Moreli fashion week and other shows.
As a content creator, which brands have you worked with?
I do content for a lot of companies such as, Mambo restaurant. I’m their head of marketing; Westior Salon. I also do content for Joyce Ssonko Textile. I’ve done content for Shaka Zulu restaurant as well as for individuals.
How do you juggle all the things you do?
I have a manager – she’s not here today – she’s called Nina. She helps me a lot, scheduling my appointments, meeting with the clients, which shoot to do, when, what time; so, she eases the burden a little.
What is a day in your life like?
I actually have a corporate job as well, I work with a logistics company, as the transport manager; so, I wake up in the morning to run to office. I handle work there and at around midday, I leave office because I be having several shoots.
If I have an upcoming show, I meet the models, train them and that needs to be done by 7pm, then I head back home to start editing and all that. Usually I sleep at 2am.
What pisses you off with this kind of work?
Some clients take you for granted. They take it as something that is casual. It’s hard for someone to take you seriously. This is something that you earn from.
Like, this is something that you invest your time working on. But it has exposed me. I’ve met a lot of people that you can’t even imagine. There is a lot of networking.
Where do you see yourself in the near future?
I see myself as one of the biggest show producers in Uganda and maybe in Africa, because I have learnt from the best of the best and I can’t take that for granted. Of recent, I started my media house called Vibrant Media. I see my self-building it into a brand and a hub for production, videography, photography and all.
Are you married?
No, currently I am not married, but I am in the pipeline.
What do you do in your free time?
Since I am always out there on events, shoots, producing and all that, in my free time I always want to be indoors I love Netflix; so, any free time I get I want to just sit and watch some series. I also enjoy watching productions like the BET awards and such because I learn a thing or two from such productions.
devonssuubi@gmail.com