Renah poses with Kwesiga. PHOTO BY ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
Formerly with Dream Gals, Renah is a solo artiste who caught up with one of her ardent fans Roland Kwesiga, a Makerere University student of Tourism.
Hi Renah, I can’t thank Sqoop magazine enough for this golden opportunity of helping me meet you finally. Been getting updates on Facebook and seeing you on shows and TV. You’ve been off the music scene for some time. What had happened?
I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl and I had to raise her. And there was no way I could do it when I’m running up and down all the time, so I first sacrificed my music career to look after her. She’s now grown and that is why I’m back in the game.
Tabloids reported that you were evicted from your Najjera house because you could no longer afford the rent. Is it true?
Like any other person, I just shifted and went to a nicer place. I was never evicted like the newspapers said. I ‘m now staying in Ntinda, which is more accessible for me.
So tell us about the baby dad?
I can’t tell you his names because I like him anonymous, but he travels a lot and spends most of the time in the UK. I love him and I know he loves me too. We are not yet married but planning to get married soon.
Now that you are back in the music industry, how are you able to cope with life as an artiste and mother at the same time? Do you give your daughter ample time not to miss her dad who is in the UK?
I love her so much and give her all the time she needs. I’m able to balance both because music is what I do to bring food on the table and it’s my obligation to look after her as a mother. She’s still young but when she grows up, she’ll get to know what keeps her father travelling all the time.
You’ve not held an album launch concert yet and you’ve been off the music industry for a year. How do you relate to us as fans?
I have a Facebook account where I connect with my fans and besides, I had a listener’s party recently. I’m going to embark on holding a concert next year.
Which artistes inspire you and why?
I respect all artistes but Juliana, Iryn, Bobi, Jamal and Chameleone inspire me a lot because Juliana and Iryn helped so much in elevating the females in the male dominated music industry. I like Jamal because he has a very nice voice and sings about us women. Bobi Wine has a business mind and Chameleone is the main reason the Ugandan music industry is appreciated in East Africa.
Will you collaborate with any them?
I have quite a number of collabos and Chameleone is one of the artistes I did a duet with but I believe this is my time, so I’m concentrating more on solo projects.
What are some of the difficulties you encounter in the music industry?
Promotion is difficult. Getting your music to the right places and people is not easy and when it comes to marketing, producing videos and audios, the music industry is one of the most expensive careers one can ever get involved in.
One of your recent, tracks, Nanyini City, is my favourite. What’s the story behind it?
It was written by Peter Nawe and it’s a love song with a different context. Many people and tabloids thought it was political but I was only figuratively referring to myself as the city and my husband as the owner.
Did your parents approve of you joining the music industry?
Up to now they still support me and besides I come from a musical family. The Ssenkebejje’s formerly of Afrigo band are my uncle and aunt.
I have asked almost every question but who is Renah?
My name is Renah Nalumansi, born in a family of 11, to Mr Dab Lubwama and Ms Winnie Kyomukama. I went to St Kizito Primary, Katikamu SDA and Lakeside College and finally UCC Tororo for a diploma in business studies.
And your musical journey?
I joined the music industry in 2007 with Dream Girls under Eddie Yawe and then broke away because I had matured and signed to Suudi Entertainment in 2009 after which I decided to become solo up till April 2012 when I signed to Justin Buzz’s Switdrim Music.
