Congratulations on making your music debut at the Ekyooto Ha Mpango!
Thank you, Quick Talk!
Who is Big Doug?
My name is Doughlas Byaruhanga, although most people know me by my stage name Big Doug. I am 24 years old and I am a proud Mutooro by tribe.
How did it feel to perform on such a big stage?
It was overwhelming and nice. You know, like when you’re a starting singer and singing in your language, the person you can sing for and you feel the proudest is the king [Ekyooto Ha Mpango is a celebration of King Oyo Nyimba’s coronation anniversary, and is celebrated annually.]
Akange Kaawe was ranked among the best songs at the festival. What is it about?
Akange Kaawe, which means ‘what’s mine is yours’, uses unique Rutooro words to describe a woman. I wrote the song as a duet, and it was meant to be sung by a male and female.
But when my song was first released, most of the parts were sung by me but later on, I started looking for a female voice. I reached out to Irene Hindah, who accepted to work with me and she is one of the biggest, female music stars in Tooro.
The Batooro really love your song!
The Batooro love it because of its melody, and most of them find the lyrics unique; that’s why many have dubbed it “supu y’endahi”, which means soup of a quail. A quail is a traditional wild bird we used to hunt and eat. When people especially the elderly heard me use those words in my song, it reminded them of those days when they used to enjoy quail soup.
What inspired you to sing in Rutooro?
At first I was kind of scared. I always told myself I wanted to sing but needed to reach out to a larger audience. I started singing in Luganda and English, but when I wrote Akange Kaawe, the response I got based on its slow rhythm and the way it sounded so romantic, it made me affirm that Rutooro is a beautiful language. Several people have encouraged me to sing songs like that because they will help build Tooro’s identity.
Have there been scenarios where you’ve been denied a stage?
No, because I have just started these stage performances after the release of Akange Kaawe in June.
Do you play any instruments?
I’m working on learning how to play the piano, because I’m also into production. I usually stress producers with what I want my music to sound like; so, I’m trying to learn how to play the piano so that I can be able to start off most of my projects before I take them to other producers.
That’s great! When did you start singing?
The passion of music has been there since 2008. I’ve written this story even after my first movie premiere. In 2008, I was miming and singing a song by Mowzey Radio and Weasel, in my P3.
I remember my brother Fortunate and I were called singers at a very young age. When I was in senior one at London College of St. Lawrence, I got attracted to the band.
In senior two, I joined the band and I loved that experience. When I joined St Lawrence Crown City Campus, I continued singing, and in my senior three, I was able to produce my first song professionally.
Then after my senior six, that is when I ventured into film.
Film. Have you produced or featured in any notable projects?
I have featured in a couple of films, and also produced. I featured in films like Kyoto Productions, short films like Esteem, Fidelity, and the feature film called Judas Kiss.
I have also featured in a movie called Wizards of Kampala, as well as the Christmas film Sekukulu, which recently won best African film in Canada. I have also featured in a series called Beloved.
Wow, you seem to be very talented.
Yeah, I always like to keep myself busy.
What is your educational background?
I started school at St Mary’s demonstration school, Kinyamasika in Fort Portal, then went to St Jude primary school, Kyegobe still in Fort Portal. I then joined St Lawrence schools and colleges up to S3, and then I joined Nyakasura Secondary for one term, then Mpanga SS in Fort Portal.
I went back to Nyakasura for A- level before joining Uganda Christian University Mukono for a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication and I successfully completed in 2022.
Any further plans for school?
Absolutely. One of the things I’m very passionate about is film and I would like to further my education in filmmaking. I am also considering going to a music school to learn how to play various music instruments.
Tell Quick Talk about your childhood?
I grew up in an extended family with my grandmother after my parents split when I was about three years old. Our home was filled with children – about 21 of us [that sounds like fun!] We slept on bunk beds, with separate rooms for boys and girls. As we grew older and finished school, many of us would leave to start our own lives.
Some of my fondest childhood memories are of Christmas. It was a special time when the entire family, including my mother, would come together. Christmas was always fun, especially since it was a time when we were gifted new clothes and the celebrations were so joyous.
Quick Talk can only imagine! So, which musicians inspire you?
The musicians who inspire me include Ray G. I like him due to his style of music, and his choice of beats and words. I am also inspired by the music of the Late Prince Paul Job Kafeero and I am also fond of the music produced by the big three artistes in Uganda: Chameleone, Bebe Cool and Bobi Wine.
Internationally I look up to The Beatles, Abba and the Bee Gees [hmmm, an old soul…] and as of late I am a big fan of Taylor Swift […OK, not so old a soul, after all.]
As an upcoming musician, what challenges have you faced?
One of the challenges is the pressure that comes with making promises. After my first performance, I excitedly promised my audience an album, giving myself only about a month to deliver.
This put me under a lot of pressure, but my manager advised me to relax, reminding me that rushing could lead to producing half-baked work. It has taken longer than expected to fulfill that promise, but I’m working to ensure the album is good.
On top of that, I have received comments from people comparing my older music to my newer songs, urging me to stick to a certain direction. This feedback, while valuable, can feel overwhelming.
Are you currently dating?
No; I am scared of love due to the fact that at this point in my life, I have been hustling and struggling and I am someone who values love deeply and respects it a lot. So, when it comes to love, I am cautious. I would love to have a solid, meaningful relationship; so, I find myself being more careful.
Who inspires you to be the man you are?
I have been greatly inspired by my father and my uncles; they are people who never give up. Over time, I have watched them struggle through life, taking care of us and persevering even in situations when things didn’t work out as expected.
If one thing failed, they would try something else, and always find a way to make life happen. This resilience has encouraged me to adopt the same mindset. Sometimes, you need to take a step back, reflect, then start again, just as my father and uncles did.
Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years?
I see growth in my music and film careers and this is based on the fact that I see a lot of success and prosperity based on how my current film and music projects have been progressing.
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