Is television something you always wanted to do?

No, I actually wanted to be a doctor, but unfortunately I lost my parents at an early age and I used to be in and out of school, missed a lot of classes and I lost that dream.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Me getting a job at NTV, because that was my dream.

You have started singing as well…[his song, Kyoyina Omanya, is a relative hit]

I am a very versatile person and I feel that in Uganda for you to be rich, you do not have to depend on one thing. I also wanted to benefit from these artistes because I always play their music on my shows and now they give me collabos for free.

What are you more passionate about, media or music?

I must say I am more passionate about TV. Most people have known me because of TV and it is what has made me; so, I cannot quit TV for music.

Sheila Gashumba recently said you guys earn Shs 50,000 per hour on air

Yeah, we are not paid what we are worth, but I cannot blame the media houses because no one is really paid what they want. We all want more but what matters is how you use the little you are paid. If a company is paying you Shs 50,000 like she said but they see you in clubs buying alcohol of Shs 600,000, how do you expect them to add you more money?

So, you are satisfied with your ka 50k?

Honestly, I am paid more than 50k, because I am probably alone on the show, but I cannot say I am satisfied because there is really never enough money.

#NTVDanceParty and #NBSSNL; how do you find the competition?

It is healthy and there is nothing like bad blood between us. They even play my music on the shows the other side and during or after the shows we talk. Some fans have that negativity that we cannot have a healthy competition, which should not be the case.

Is it even necessary?

It is working for everyone. My following and fan base has tremendously grown during this period and so has it for everyone else on the show and that means that the engagement and impact the shows have is really good. That is why I think the government should have even stopped people from paying for TV subscription so that they enjoy fully, because we are doing these shows to relieve the stress.

Lately you call yourself the “King of the Mic”, a title associated with MC Kats.

Yes, I am calling myself the King of the Mic, but that doesn’t mean that MC Kats is not. He is a king in his own way and I am also a king in my own way. MC Kats is a legend and I respect him so much because many MCs look up to him.

I am a guy who believes so much in myself and when I say I am the King of the Mic, it is no disrespect to anyone. If you feel you are better than me, I am ready for a battle.

Do I hear a dare for MC Kats?

If he wants to and he is okay with it, then we get on the stage. Like I told you earlier, I believe in healthy competition. If he is ready, I got my energy ready. [Over to you, MC Kats!]

Those are some big guts you got right there! Who do you look up to?

In Uganda, I don’t have anybody I look up to. I look up to only one guy Crysto Panda, because I have my own vibe. Outside Uganda, I look up to Nick Canon, because he does everything I do from music, to TV shows and hosting events.

Your other show, T-Nation is mainly based on schools, which are now closed. Isn’t that a big challenge?

No, the good thing is that I had canned my events so that I could air them later. Another thing is that the show is not only about schools, but entertainment as well. There is music, movies and I have been skyping different celebrities to talk to my viewers.

You host a teens’ show yet are no teenager…

People have said that, but I want them to understand something; presenting is not about the age, but how you fit in. There are very many young people who have come here to do the show but they have all failed. I have no problem leaving the show, but my bosses feel I am still good for the show. Even if I leave T-Nation, I will still be in schools, because that’s my life. I will be organizing events and proms and put them on my YouTube channel.

You wanted to join NTV The Beat;  what went wrong?

Munnange, my bosses and sponsors of the show by then told me not to leave because when making sponsorship deals, the presenter is signed as well; so, removing him or her costs the company and that is why I had to remain on T-Nation.

Congs on your new baby! How does it feel to be a first-time dad?

It feels good. Though at first some people told me I was going to lose fans because of having a baby, but I believe people want a responsible person. I am a proud father. I have been so open about it and that is why I post her pictures every time.

What went through your mind when you heard, “I am pregnant”?

I was so happy, because I really wanted it. It is good to have a child when you are still youthful so that you can have much time with them, because you can never know when life ends. I want to be there for my child and take care of her not like my dad who abandoned my mum and didn’t take care of us.

Should we listen for the wedding bells?

[Laughs] That one will depend. You know marriage is not something you need to rush into. You can have a child with someone and you guys move on. Right now I am focusing on taking care of my baby and her mother, but when the right time comes, maybe it will happen.

So, no wedding on the cards yet; what are you planning ahead?

I want to go back and study movie production so that I can be a director and start my own production house. There are so many talented unemployed young people out there whom I want to employ.

Factfile

Crysto Panda, real names Herbert Kityamuweesi, was born on May 5, 1995 in Kabonera, Masaka district. He is the first-born of four boys.

His parents passed away at an early age and he struggled to put himself through school.

He went to St Jude primary school Najjanankumbi,  St Monica SS for O-level and St John SS Masaka for A-level.

Last year, he graduated with a Diploma in Journalism from Datamine Technical Business School.

jjingoernest1@gmail.com