Irene Ntale talks self initiative and her song ‘Politics’

Irene Ntale is one of the artistes chosen by Twaweza to headline their latest campaign of self initiative. Change is us. We talked yesterday. Let’s act today! She talked to us about her music, the project and inspirations for the song Politics.

How did you feel about your song Politics getting chosen for this project?

I was excited about it obviously. This is a song that I did last year so it’s such a great feeling that people loved the song and felt it had a great message. I had set out to do music that will impact on people’s lives positively.

What inspired this song?

It was inspired by corruption and the Global Fund saga that was all over the media a few years ago. It’s sad that you can no longer get a job without knowing someone or even bribing them. It’s sad that in order for one to win an election, they have to manipulate results. It’s sad that people are dying simply because medical funds were misused.

As an artiste, there was no way I could tell my story other than  through a song.

What did you want people to take out of the song? Were you attacking someone?

Honestly I wasn’t attacking anybody. Everyone knows those people who are corrupt. It’s important to do something about them other than waiting for government to arrest them.

I wanted people to understand the situation we are in and how bad it is going to be if we don’t act right away.

Do you think Ugandan artistes are doing enough of these songs with positive messages?

We are trying. I cannot give examples but there are so many songs out there that are having a positive impact on people’s lives. Some of them are empowering them to become better citizens while others are preaching against crime. It’s something we all feel should be done. Using our positions as artistes to give hope and educate our fans.

With projects such as this one, artistes who are doing positive music are going to get the push they’ve always needed. We all do things that impact on people positively but we never realize that we are doing so not until someone recognizes those efforts. More people are going to get on board.

What in your opinion is needed to change people’s perceptions towards life even more?

People need to be sensitized about the importance of this to their lives. In this process community leaders and people of influence should be involved. People need to understand that it’s our lives at stake when health funds are embezzled. Students should also understand that when their lecturers miss lectures, it’s their future that will be at stake not anyone else’.

How long have you been singing?

I’ve been singing for as long as I can remember. However I got serious about it when I was in church choir as a teenager. What is sad is that I was never serious about music when I was in school. I only got serious when I joined the band UNEVEN.

Why were you never serious about music while in school?

For me school was about books and that’s it. I attended Kitante Hill school for secondary school and it was basically books and reading them. At campus I was at Kyambogo University and did Procurement and Logistics management. I never paid that much attention to music because I had a more pressing issue at hand then and it was my education.

Tell me about UNEVEN. I was a huge fan of your band. What happened?

We formed UNEVEN because we wanted to do something totally different. We were all from the same church. The group comprised of 4 boys and one girl thus the name UNEVEN. It was fun being together so when we lost one of our band mates, the band had to go separate ways.

One music critic in a local tabloid wrote that you butchered your career when you crossed over from jazz to mainstream Ugandan music. What is your take on that?

I read that article. I must say that the writer did not do enough research before he wrote it. I have never crossed over from any genre to another. I’ve only widened my scope of musical abilities. I cannot try to prove to anyone anymore that I’m a musician. I can do jazz, rock, reggae, raga and many others. That is what matters to me most as well.

How has it been becoming a respected musician in Uganda after such a short time?

It’s such an experience. I’ve loved every bit of it. I have a fan base. I have people who just love me because of my music. I’ve met people who say my music has changed their lives. To me that is just enough. I cannot ask for more.

What message do you have for your fans?

I would love all of you to be a part of this project by Twaweza. The change you need can only come to life when you make it happen yourselves. It’s time to act. Keep supporting me so that we take this to another level. Always keep God in your life. It’s very important to be spiritual.

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