You look lovely as always!
Thank you; you look lovely too.
How is your boy?
Lisbon? He is grown!
We knew you from Obsessions…
Drama has always been a part of me. My primary school was Kitante, then Lohana, on to East High and Aga Khan High School and I loved drama. I felt at home in MDD.
Where were you born?
Kampala. In Mulago hospital [in 1988] and I grew up in Bukoto where my dad built a house. I am a city girl.
And both your parents are still there?
Yes, they are still together. My mum is half Muganda, half Mutooro. My dad… well, I am a mixture. My great granddad was a Briton; so, I have that blood in me… then a Muganda…basically I am a cocktail.
Were you many siblings?
I don’t know if six are many; you tell me. I am the second born. The others are in the airlines, one of my sisters is in the UK, the one that follows me, Sheila, is in insurance, another in National Water and Sewerage Corporation…I am the only one that ventured into music.
Did you join Obsessions in your S.4?
No, my S.6 vacation. In my S.4, I was working in a supermarket, because my mum wanted to keep me busy. By then [Ronnie] Mulindwa was in my life; he was trying to catch my eye and I knew he had a group called Obsessions. They would use me as an extra. In my S.6 vacation, I told my mum I needed to do this.
How did your dad take it?
Surprisingly, because his sister had been Miss Uganda – she’s called Rosemary Salmon, based in Nairobi; she was married to Captain Roy [Zziwa] – he was supportive, but insisted I would be commuting… the age difference between the [Obsession] boys and us was about eight years; so, I [went home everyday].
Luckily I turned out well. I continued my studies and got a certificate in secretarial studies, then a diploma in business administration from Mubs. I was supposed to go on with a bachelor’s degree, but got caught up with Big Brother Africa.
Did you ever use those skills?
Yes, I am an entrepreneur. In 2011, I started a shop opposite Fido Dido dealing in phones and spares, when I had just got out of the Big Brother house. I realised the Obsessions brand had issues, I was a mother, so I had to use my course. Luckily I had some capital, because I had done some appearances all over Africa.
So in S.6 Ronnie was already in your life!
Yes!
But Ronnie was young too.
The age difference was nine, eight years… because he was born in 1979. My mum went really hard on him, saying “Ronnie I’m going to lock you up!” But people told her, come on Rebecca, she is above 18… But she finally understood.
Are you still friends with all of the original Obsessions members?
I don’t think I have any issues with anyone. We were all driven by passion. I am not about the blame game.
Whose idea was it to go for Big Brother?
It was my dad’s idea. Ronnie didn’t even know about it.
And you lasted! The final five. What was eviction night like?
Oh my goodness! It was like I was up every week. I don’t know what people had against me. I am glad Africa had my back.
Life before Big Brother and after Big Brother; what was the most shocking thing for you?
I didn’t get the support at home that I expected. [Housemates] from elsewhere were on billboards, doing big endorsements…we don’t have that here. I was disappointed, but I thank God my brand was exposed in Nigeria, South Africa…
Did the shop work out?
No. I relied on someone else and it didn’t work out. I was paying Shs 1m a month…I had to shut down. I went into moneylending, then a mini supermarket in Najjeera, then Blue Ice bar and now I’m into real estate. We buy land, demarcate it and sell it off. We also build shells and sell them.
You and Ronnie were together for so long!
Me and Ronnie are still together.
You are?
Yes! People ask, you are still with Ronnie? We rarely come out together. But we live together, we still have a son… [Ronnie] had better do something; otherwise, I’ll do what Rema did! [She bursts into sustained laughter. Rema Namakula last year famously dumped her baby-daddy Eddy Kenzo and married Dr Hamza Ssebunnya]. We’ve been together for 18 years.
But you had a bit of a rough spot…
Yes, especially after Big Brother. Insecurity issues. But kudos to him; he’s been there.
Was there a point you said ‘I can’t handle this’?
Yes. We had a very bad breakup for a year, but it was good for us to rethink everything. But we are stronger than ever.
Any plans for another baby?
Of course. I am thinking of a surrogate… I’m joking! [After talking with Crystal some more about adoption and surrogacy, Sharon admits she has thought about it seriously because her pregnancy with Lisbon was not an easy one.]
You had a difficult pregnancy?
Lisbon is a big baby and you know…the pain and everything. Ronnie was taping everything. He likes to be involved with his children. I found him with one, a daughter who is 18 now. He’s a great dad.
What about music?
Music is my passion. Ronnie and I took on Lydia Jazmine, because the passion is still there. We are mentoring her, grooming her, and she is doing good. Between the girls leaving and me coming back from South Africa, I realised I love music, but I needed an income.
Lydia Jazmine…are you planning on taking on more talent?
Not at the moment. But we are looking into going into movies.
You and Ronnie…what is the secret?
We are friends. Before he even [became my boyfriend], we were family friends and neighbours. His mum and my mum worked in Bank of Uganda. We also communicate and support each other, regardless. Even when we separated for a year – that is the time I had opened Blue Ice – people didn’t know we were separated because we supported each other.
Have you surprised anyone with what you’ve achieved?
My mum is really impressed. She always thought I was a shopaholic. As you grow and get more responsibility, you change and I love the new me. I was a big spender, and the same applied to Ronnie.
What’s the favourite thing you do for yourself?
I love going to the spa. I love to travel – twice a year with my family. I watch series and shows – Trevor Noah…pretty much that’s my life. Spending time with my son and Ronnie is very important to me. I grew up with my parents being together [and I want that for Lisbon].
What about girlfriends?
I lost touch. This industry is so busy and I am sorry about that. My circle is very small when it comes to friends. I also outgrew some of them, some were giving me bad energy.
What don’t people know about you?
People think I am proud, but I am just very picky. [As the interview closes, she advises girls who look up to her to put God first and keep in school.]
– Edited from Crystal Newman’s YouTube