Mariam Ndagire, The Storyteller Who Accidentally Became a Musician!

In the spirit of International Women’s Month, we welcome you to Women of Valour, a series featuring open letters to women whose actions bring light not just to the nation, but to our hearts. We admire them, we cherish them, and want to be them.

Mariam Ndagire is in charge. It’s coming to 9pm, and she looks like she has just started to work. She interrupts a call she’s on to welcome me to her well-decorated office. She goes ahead to apologize for keeping me waiting. I had to wait from 5pm to 8pm to meet her, because she was engaged in back to back meetings. Her role as director of theatre and performing artists in Uganda comes with a lot of responsibilities.

Away from her office duties, Ndagire is a singer, actress, playwright, film director and film producer. With a resume this colourful, I’m tempted to ask her where she feels more at home. Is it on stage singing, behind the camera, in front of it or in the theatre? “I’ll say I love it all, but music is my least favourite,” she laughs. “I’m a very shy person. I find it very lonely performing alone on stage. I actually got into music by accident.”

This explains her graceful (and equally stylish) departure from the music industry in 2009. “I was drained. It’s such a fast paced industry, and to be honest, that’s not the kind of person I am,” she explains. “I prefer to take my time and release projects when I’m ready. Music wasn’t allowing me this opportunity. Immediately a new song is out, fans are already asking for when you’re releasing the next one.”

Also, at the time, she had already dipped her feet into film, which she describes as her ‘first love’. However, she releases a song or two once in a while, and also performs at private functions such as weddings. On 4^th April, 2020, she’ll be shelving her fears, to headline the annual Tugende Mu Kikadde concert, an event that’s all about ‘oldies music’ performed live by the stars behind them.

In the spirit of women’s day, she sat down with me to reflect on feminism and the future of the arts industry.

The theatre industry is suffering. Because this is your docket, what are you not doing right?

Just like everything, the advancement in technology and probably peace in the country gave way for many other forms of entertainment to sprout up. In the ‘90s, when we joined this industry, there were only about four radio stations and one TV station. We came in as the only alternative of entertainment to cater to needs of people who wanted to go out and have some fun. Right now, we have countless TV and radio stations. We have stand-up comedy, nightclubs, and lots of concerts every other weekend, to mention but a few. All these paused stiff competition against theatre.

Also, the exodus of talented actors and actresses to radio left the industry with no one to fend for it. Back in the day we would stage one play for 6 weeks straight, and people would still be asking for me. This is impossible to do now. Most of the actors are committed here and there.

How are you salvaging an industry that gave you so much?

We are not seated. We are devising new strategies to get people here. Some pundits believe that theatre is in probably in its last days, but I can’t disagree more. Recently, I was in Canada where I attended a stage play, and boy oh boy, it was a spectacle complete with a theatre that was full to the brim. The dance, costumes, music and artistry that was on that stage was a marvel. I really wanted to take some videos, but I got a carried away and forgot. I believe we can still make this happen here in Uganda. We are working on it.

The Mariam Ndagire Film & Performing Arts Centre, which I founded is on ground training actors, directors in both theatre and film. Our classes tailored for young people help to inculcate that spirit in them at a young age. There are so many great actors we have groomed.

The exodus of star actors to radio, how did you survive it?

I had little stints on CBS and Super FM. It didn’t work out though. It’s such a lonely job. Sitting through a show alone for hours talking to people you can’t see. It goes back to my personality. I enjoy having company. I enjoy to share a joke and receive a response immediately. Radio wasn’t giving me this. However, I’ve done numerous skits for radio. I remember one which was so popular where I had to speak like a little boy. Up to now, just a handful of people know that it was me behind that voice.

Acting as a little boy! Now that says a lot about how talented you are. At what point did you realise you possessed art within you?

I don’t know. I can’t tell. But, I remember as a child, whenever there was an opportunity to put on an act, I preferred to do something I had originally created, whilst my peers sang songs that they would sing at their schools.

And how did you become a singer?

Like I said before, I got into music by accident. Theatre shows usually have original songs produced as part of the production. I guess that’s where I started out, and before I knew it I was becoming a recording artist.

Did you not sing in school choirs?

Never! It never occurred to me that I’d ever become a singer. I probably had the talent but I only discovered it when I was an adult. Interestingly, when I left, I felt like a huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders. Music is such a demanding industry. Right now I’m at peace doing what I love, which is ‘storytelling.’ I’m so sorry to break your hearts.

Away from that, what makes you proud to be a woman?

I’m more proud to be a human being than I am to be a woman. We are all human beings who have the same capabilities.

You work in a relatively male dominated industry. Don’t you think you are here because you’re a woman?

Not at all. I’m here because I’m a human being who is passionate about what I do. The people I’ve worked with over the years, who are mostly men, appreciated my way of thinking and that’s how we got to work together. There’s never been a point where I was treated differently because of my gender. There was a time Kato Lubwama described me as a ‘man in woman’s body’ because I know what I want and I’m always very clear and assertive about it.

Are there women in your life who probably influenced this assertive demeanour?

My mother to start with. Just like I am, and probably much more, she was a strong hardworking woman. A single mother who singlehandedly raised us and provided without looking at a man for a helping hand. I also attended Trinity College Nabbingo, a school that prepared us to be smart and confident women. The other woman who has had a huge influence on my life is Hajjat Nuulu Bongole, my aunt, who raised me after the passing of my mother. She was no different from my mother.

I also look up to Joanita Kawalya. She too went to Nabbingo. Every time I listened to her or watched her perform, I could see myself heading the direction she was on. Up to now, she’s a huge inspiration to me.

What does it take to thrive in this entertainment business?

They are four pillars; 1. Talent – you have to have some bit of talent. 2. Passion – you must love what you do. 3. Discipline – you have to be disciplined. Humility is a deal breaker in this business. 4. Esteem – you have to believe in yourself. Number 2 is a must.

On film, what in your opinion has stifled the growth of this particular industry?

Uganda has such beautiful stories and excellent actors. Our challenge is equipment, something that curtails filmmakers from producing quality projects. The other challenge is our market, which is limited to just Uganda. Since we don’t speak Swahili, we miss out on a huge market that is the East African region. This makes our films limited to just ourselves.

You’re quite accomplished, what goal do you still have on your to-do before you probably retire?

I want to grow my centre into a film hub or village that houses and trains filmmakers, not just from Uganda, but the whole of East Africa. We have a lot of potential that hasn’t been tapped. This hub will be filling that gap.

Lastly, How did you not get tempted to bleach your skin? You have such beautiful skin.

During our days as children, our mothers lightened their skin. Although mine didn’t. It was a huge trend that took Kampala by storm. Unfortunately, shortly after, most of them suffered skin complications. All this was in the full view of our eyes. As young people we learned to not go that route. The results are evident; you don’t crack so hard when your skin is untouched. I’m surprised that many young women are at it, bleaching. They probably don’t know what’s headed their way.

Listen to her new song ‘Oliwamaanyi’ here.

Mariam Ndagire will be headlining the annual Tugende Mu Kikadde, scheduled to hold on 4th April, 2020 at Kampala Serena Hotel.

Styling & wardrobe by Larry Casual

Accessories from Her Fashion Box

Makeup by Beats by Deryk

Photographed by Fred Bugembe

Location: Kampala Serena Hotel

satisfashionug@gmail.com