The Story of 2021 in 9 Satisfashion UG Cover Stories

As we approach the New Year and the heavily anticipated crossover, it’s always good to take a look back at the year that has been. On our part? It’s been a rollercoaster ride trying to get these fabulous covers out to the masses. From scheduling issues, to muses who were out of the country (Rickman, for instance) as well as working around the many levels of creative this industry has to offer, 2021 was definitely one for the books.

This year’s covers feature some incredible personalities like Cindy, who kicked off the year, to person of the year – Pia Pounds, makeup maven Nahya Shero Ssali, to the ever enchanting Nana Kaga, and Pallaso, as they share with us their tales. Isn’t that amazing?

Don’t worry if you missed any of it; we’re here for you as always! Below is a rundown of all of the year’s cover stories.

January – Cindy Sanyu

“I cannot replace the moments I’ve spent with my daughter, with my mother and my family in general. This year I’ve managed to be a ‘proper mother’, which I used to struggle with, because I didn’t have the time! My daughter was beginning to be a stranger to me, she was starting to sound like somebody else because I wasn’t there all the time. I’ve spent time with her and created that bond and I’m starting to understand who she is because she is my child, you know?”

February – Seamline Atelier

“Culture is an integral part of life, it defines who we are as people. This piece above is a representation of an abandoned drum, which was later eaten by pests. Our hope is that we return to our roots and safeguard our culture and heritage so that they don’t completely die out or rot like it is happening here,”

March – Rickman Manrick

“I love challenges. I’m also passionate about giving back. Back in the day, I’d walk with no shirt or even shoes on. At some point, I’d rely on my friends for clothes. Giving back, to me, is a service I’m always honoured to extend. I believe that giving back is getting back, just like adding value to value.” 

April – Nana Kagga

“On my second day in LA, my friend Yvette and I headed out to this audition. There were all these beautiful women. I was the only black black person there, all of them were light-skinned, mixed or something like that. It was evident I wasn’t the face they were looking for, but ironically, this guy comes up to me and he’s like, “Honey”, I reply, “Yes, sweetie?” And he’s like, “oh, she speaks with a British accent!” He immediately invites me into the audition room. The panellists look at me, and he’s like, “she’s the one! She’s the stripper! We are using this one!” 

May – Pallaso

“I want to be remembered as someone who helped others. I’d like to remembered for my great music. I’d also like to be remembered as someone that loved African music so much that he did whatever he could to save its sound. I want to be remembered as someone who never gave up no matter what, someone who kept going regardless.”

June – Nahya Shero Ssali

“First of all, you need to stay real to yourself. Concentrate on your creative niche because every makeup artist has their own. I’m not going to be doing the same thing some other makeup artist does. There is that uniqueness clients always look for, so you have to be unique.”  She continues, “You also have to be really really professional – how you handle your clients matters more than anything else. You need to make your clients your friends, but also, refrain from being ‘overly friendly’, there’s that line you shouldn’t cross.”

August – Humphrey Nabimanya and Sandra Nansambu

“I’m still heading there. You see, Uganda is big, Africa is bigger, and I can only contribute what I’m able to contribute. However, out of 100% of the young people we are serving, there is at least 1% that I’ve seen achieve it, and to me, that small satisfaction is enough. The road we are on is a moving train, and there is a lot that is still being done.” – Humphrey Nabimanya

“Honestly, I spent a lot of my childhood hiding. I had low esteem. Being a differently abled  person, I always kept myself behind. However, the moment I realised that this is my uniqueness, and I have to celebrate it instead of hiding it, that’s when the Sandra you see now came alive.” – Sandra Nansambu 

November – Evelyn Kironde Namatovu

“I’ve learned to be patient; I’ve always been patient but it has since gotten elevated because of this experience. I’ve also learned that creating a great project is a process, one that requires commitment. I’m also learning to work with people. I’m such an introvert, and this is a great learning curve for me. Of course, you can’t be on the same project with people like Cleopatra Koheirwe and not have a great deal of learning. You are consistently learning and evolving. Who wouldn’t want that?”

December – Pia Pounds

“There was a time I was some kind of black sheep; somehow everybody felt I was doing the wrong thing and that I was in the wrong camp. I didn’t deal with this criticism well, especially because I was juggling it all with finishing my degree. That kind of threw me off the rhythm. I almost gave up…”

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