Hope Mukiibi

Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce to you one of our most talented young men. He has an album out but before you rush for it I thought you’d like to know his…base line. Where he’s coming from.
Born 28 April 1978, Hope Mukiibi started out doing drama when his sister heard that Bakayimbira Dramactors was looking for an actor. Despite his tender age, he was accepted and was on the cast of plays like the much acclaimed “Bukedde’’, “Batubanja”,”Kateete” where he acted as a soldier, street boy and houseboy respectively.

Later on Hope became a butcher in Bunga, a suburb of Kampala, but unfortunately the city council closed him down. Thus he found his way into the realm of band music. He initially started in 1997 but having no promoters, his career slugged. He however managed to drop his first album titled Musawo Wange and Nightie followed suit. Both albums featured vocalist Brenda Nakibirango.

Apart from the confidence he gained during his years in drama, what keeps him going is inspiration from local greats: Geofrey Lutaaya, Kabuye Semboga and Jimmy Katumba.His current album” Excuse me Ssebo” was also recorded at Dream studio which is owned by Eddie Yahweh. It’s been underground since October last year and was released a month ago. What does it talk about? I’ll give you his number at the bottom of the page though I’ll give you a hint; he advises other artistes to compose music that touches the heart and soul of people. It’s no wonder then that his goal is to help up- coming musicians.

That’s a whole generation if you asked me! Apparently he has grievances with the music copyright law of Uganda (not the only one).”Radio stations play our music but don’t give us our money” he says. He hopes to get that sorted out. Another thing he’s been hoping for is YET another album on which he’ll work with elder sister, Damali Namuyiga…t’must run in the family!

Hope’s worst day in the industry was in a place called Kasensero in Masaka.No one showed up for the show because it rained the whole day. You think that’s bad? They didn’t have money to get back to Kampala but were eventually picked up…on a truck!