What is your fondest childhood memory?
In kindergarten, I did three classes in one year. I started from middle class in first term, in second term I was in top class and in third term I was promoted to primary one. This was because I was first homeschooled by my elder brother; so, I already knew most of the things. That also meant that throughout my school life I was always the youngest in class. I sat my Primary Seven when I was just 10 years old.
That’s impressive! And your journey into media?
I got my interest in media when I was still in primary school. I used to read children’s news on Radio West every Sunday. In 2013 [when he was a whopping 18 years old], I got some training in television from Urban TV by Angelo Izama and Micheal Owori aka DJ Bush Baby, but I didn’t get a chance to get on air.
I later went to Channel 44 where I hosted a show for two years, but felt like my career was a bit static, because being a church-based station, there are some restrictions. Fortunately, I got to have a conversion with [Next Media owner] Kin Kariisa and I joined NBS TV as a reporter. The rest is history.
You studied IT at university, though…
I [wanted] journalism at Makerere University but I did not make the points and even if I had, I don’t think I had the tuition to study from there. Three years later, I got a scholarship to study at IUEA and some of the best courses there to pick from were Law, business studies and Information Technology; so, I chose the latter. Journalism chose me, because I am naturally passionate about storytelling.
What do you like most about your job?
It is fun and the social capital that comes with it… connecting with a lot of people at the same time. I am paid to have fun, because whenever I am on TV or writing a story, I am actually having fun.
And what do you hate about it?
It is hectic. I work about 15 hours a day. It takes away your social life and the time you should have with your family and friends.
You recently interviewed President Museveni. How was that?
I think it is one of the best experiences in journalism, because every journalist would want that. It was quite intimidating in the beginning but I had gone through a lot of preparation and I was very clear with my questions.
He has that thing about him that you just get intimidated when he walks into the room without him even saying anything, but three questions into the interview, I got comfortable and everything started flowing. But at first, I felt like just running away. [Laughs.]
You did well. Who do you look up to?
I look up to a man called Fareed Zakaria; he is a CNN foreign affairs journalist. He is amazing; he reads a lot and has a lot of information on the niche that he chose. He is also a multimedia journalist; he does TV, writes columns and has a podcast.
No one locally?
Locally I wouldn’t really pick out anyone. Every journalist tries to put their work out there and to me that is inspiring; I am unable to do some of the things that some journalists here do.
The few hours to yourself; how do you spend those?
I watch a lot of Netflix, especially documentaries and series. I also do cycling on Sunday mornings around Kampala for about 20km. I also love to read.
What are you reading currently?
Currently I am re-reading two books: Sowing the Mustard Seed by Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and William Pike’s Combatants: A Memoir of the Bush War and the Press in Uganda.
No music?
I do not listen to music that much, but I love reggae. I listen to a lot of Bob Marley music [shows Quick Talk his phone playlist full of Bob Marley and other reggae artistes]. Locally I like Maddox Sematimba, although I do not like his stage performances. I also like Maurice Kirya and Lydia Jazmine.
Are you married, dating or in an entanglement?
Hahahaha….. I have dated the same girl for the last six years and when I am not doing all those things, I am spending time with her.
Six years! When are you making it official?
Hopefully, really soon. I am not someone who gets pressurized by society that when you graduate you get a job and marry. I think everything should happen at the right time.
But your relationship has been rumoured to be on-again, off-again…
No, we have been constant for the last six years; forget what you see online. Yes, we get misunderstandings, which is normal for any young couple. Actually, I think the longest time it has been off has been like for one hour.
After making it official, how many children would you wish to have?
We are still debating that. She wants to have two, but I want five, because we are also five in my family. But she says those are too many. [Well, considering that she is the one with the uterus……]
How may suits do you have?
[Gives it a long thought] I have never counted, but they are about 25 pairs. I have 80 per cent shades of blue [he is wearing navy blue pants today, sans the jacket) then black and grey.
It is hard to imagine you in anything but suits!
[I do wear] khaki pants, moccasins and polo T-shirts. I also love shorts and sneakers.
What pisses you off?
People who are dishonest, and those that do not keep time.
And the one thing that makes you happy?
Achieving something I have planned for a long time, and also when a friend or someone I know has something to celebrate.
Do you wear makeup when going on set?
I used to, but not anymore. As long as my hair is well trimmed and I am not too shinny, I do not need any makeup. I am afraid it may block the pores of my skin and I develop pimples. So, even though it is a requirement, I told our makeup artist to stop applying it on me.
What was your embarrassing moment on set?
Not so long ago I did a wrong calculation of Covid-19 results and it went viral, but I have learnt to take such things in because no one can ever have a clean straight-up time on TV. Such mistakes are bound to happen.
What is that one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I do not support football, but when you find me discussing it, you may think I am a big fan. I used to support Arsenal but for 10 years it could not win any league title; so, I gave up. But when Uganda Cranes is playing, I give it my 100 per cent support because it is my national team.
Brief background
? Canary Mugume was born on January 7, 1995, in Mbarara and is the fourth of five children.
? Unfortunately, he lost his father at a very young age and was raised by a single mother. He went to Mbarara Municipal primary school Mbarara Secondary School (O-level) and Lutembe International School (A-level).
? After secondary school, he applied to join Makerere University but failed to make the cut off points and had to wait three years for a scholarship to International University of East Africa (IUEA) where he graduated with a degree in Information Technology and Computer Engineering in 2018.
? Mugume has worked as a mobile money agent, model and even tried out singing.
Jjingoernest1@gmail.com