A day with Angella Katatumba by 1544c Ssejjombwe. (+256-782233273)
Broadly acknowledged for her Humanitarian and Entrepreneurship works, Angella Katatumba is an artist in a class of her own because she uses her music to tackle issues like wars, peace, love care and conserving the climate.
It’s partly for this reason that the British Council appointed her as the International Climate Change Icon in Uganda.
This is even why international Television Channels like CNN, Aljazeera and VOA (Voice Of America) approached her for several interviews concerning Uganda and this was because of her “For You Gulu” Awareness Project that helped transform the war-affected people of Northern Uganda.
She’s a Humanitarian, an artist, a song writer, a hotelier (managing Hotel Diplomat) in Muyenga and the Managing Director URED (Uganda Real Estates Developers).
I however caught up with the effervescent Diva at Hotel Diplomat and she explained her music career, Humanitarian works and her past.
A brief background about Angella Katatumba?
Born to Mr. Bonny Katatumba, the Honorary Counsel of Pakistan in Uganda and Mrs. Gertrude Katatumba, Proprietor of AFK beauty clinic in Kabalagala, Angella grew up with seven brothers and happens to be a twin to Rugiirwa Katatumba who owns Obama’s in Kabalagala.
What type of music does Angella do and why that type?
Growing up in the western culture basically in Canada, England and the US, I was influenced by R&B Soul because that was the type of music I grew up listening to but I can as well do other types.
Just a flash back, Please talk about the “Gulu Project”?
This was a charity project I joined through a German friend of mine called Katrina who asked me to do something about the people in Gulu. I realized what was happening to the innocent souls in northern Uganda so I recorded “For you Gulu” which later turned to be the theme song for the whole Gulu walk project on the 25th of October 2005. The project generated so much appreciation and the experience was simply awesome because we received over 40 computers, 1000 blankets plus other gifts from different companies, NGO’s and well wishers.
What was the whole project about!
It was basically to create awareness about the difficulties in northern Uganda and this was done through charity works and several songs to create confidence and encouragement towards them. The project was to also create peace in the northern region. And because of the donations, many people’s lives were changed thanks to the project.
What is your role as the International climate change Icon in Uganda and why you specifically?
After following my career and seeing that I’m a role model among the youths and due to the success of the Gulu project, the British Counsel chose me on April 1st 2010 ahead of many local musicians to be the International climate change Icon in Uganda and my role is to ensure that people conserve the environment by planting more trees. I’ve been to many districts in Uganda encouraging people to keep the country green and teaching them the meaning of climate change and their response has so far been positive. I also released the “Let’s Go Green” song alongside Keko which has gone ahead to become the theme song for the whole campaign of massive tree-planting in different parts of Uganda and the whole world at large.
What aspects do you look at when outing your songs?
Being a role model, most of my songs are inspirational and have a positive meaning changing the society for the better. When you look at songs like “For you Gulu” and let’s go green, these are songs that will forever live on because they’ve changed the society in a positive way.
Being a Humanitarian and an Artist, what are some of the honors you’ve so far received?
I’ve been the Buzz Teeniez Role model of the year for 2007 and 2008, I also won the Rotary Club of Kampala for the Gulu project in 2008. The office of the Prime minister also awarded me for the peace projects in Gulu, and I’ve just been nominated in the Diva’s for my Humanitarian works.
What are some of the challenges you are facing apparently?
I’ve sacrificed my music career for the Humanitarian works because I’m to busy traveling here and there thus my music has been limited. Because of the western influence, I have an International mindset which doesn’t correspond with most of the Ugandan music lovers for example most Ugandans fancy Kidandali kind of music yet I’m well versed with R&B Soul. The other challenge I’m facing is so much pressure on my appearance because I have to be descent all the time despite the day, time and place.
You are one artist with limited performances. Why is that?
First and foremost I’m ever busy and most of the time I’m not around to be performing everywhere.
Because I charge 2million shs, many people can’t afford me which also limits my performances.
I as well have this belief that concerts and so many performances take a lot out of an artist which I don’t find worth. Most of the artists are everywhere yet they are supposed to be scarce.
According to media houses you were set ablaze while shooting the “Let’s go green song” what happened?
We were exposed to too much lights at the shooting scene but a lot of fuss was made about me yet Keko and Michael Ouma were also affected.
It took me 5 days to get back my vision but my whole body was peeling and my face was swollen for a number of days. It was quite an experience
What studios have you been using for your music production?
There is first luv studios, Dream studios, Goodenuf, Fishnet and Swangz Avenue.
And lastly, what can’t you live without?
My family, the Bible, Lip gloss, phones, Cd’s and my business cards.
isac44@gmail.com
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