Ssalongo Mubiru is a well-known local musician from our Nkozi area. He will display his guitar and singing skills in the Saturday radio show (make sure you tune in) but today we are going to present him in more detail.

It’s 5pm on a Sunday. Ssalongo* Mubiru comes in a wheelchair to The Gardens, helped by one of his children. He is holding a guitar, greets everyone and starts playing one of his favourite kadongo kamu (”single guitar”) songs. Moments later he picks interest in helping people repair a broken clay oven at the kitchen. He seems well versed with the whole activity, directing people to do better.

“How many things are you good at?” we ask. “I know almost everything”, says Mubiru. For him, being diabled was not the end of the story. He looks to be having more life skills than most ordinary people. In his vulnerable situation he looks after a big family.”I pay school fees to all my children and other dependants, mostly in secondary schools around Kampala, using money I get from singing.” He is a Muganda from Nkozi, Mpigi district.

His music is good. Laurie, Studio Edirisa’s volunteer from Australia, heard it and said: “I could listen to his songs for hours without getting bored.” Laurie is quite an unusual fan because Mubiru’s music is in Luganda which she doesn’t understand. Mubiru’s music attracts all audiences due to his voice, music flow and beats. With a big smile Mubiru says: “My fans only praise me for the good work done.”

He started singing with Simba Ngoma Band, in 1968 at the age of 13. He is now 55 years old. He was inspired by one of his uncles who traversed the whole world simply because of singing. He was also encouraged to sing by one of the white Catholic priests based at Nkozi Parish, Fr. Mathew, who sometimes assisted him with resources. Mubiru’s music has been played on most Ugandan major radio stations, like CBS FM and Radio Uganda.

Although Mubiru sings kadongo kamu style, popular with some of the best Ugandan musicians like the late Paul Kafeero and Lord Fred Ssebbata, he isn’t a fan of any of those. “I am not a fan of any musician but a fan of some of their songs based on their meanings and style.” Mubiru says. He adds, “I like Fred Ssebatta’s song ‘Nabawamuka’ and Jose Chameleon’s song ‘Bayudda’ because they are very educative.” The kadongo kamu music style in Uganda is much liked by the old and people living in the countryside as the messages are mostly inspired by daily issues faced by almost every ordinary Ugandan.

Mubiru does concerts for everyone interested, mostly on weddings, introductions and other parties. He has so far produced over thirty songs and is still preparing more. Balitteka, the song in our radio show, encaurages people to have stable marriages and stable lifestyles to succeed in life.

Mubiru has seen a number of challenges singing as a disabled person in a country where being disabled is seen as a curse from God. He says it’s hard for lame people to make it to the top of the Uganda music industry. He is planning to set up a music group for disabled people, to help them further develop their talents.

* ssalongo = father of twins

Solomon Akugizibwe
photo: Laurie May

Tags: nkozi