Nince Henry and his fan Diana at Silver Springs Hotel. PHOTO BY ISAAC SSEJJOMBWE
Nince Henry needs no introduction in the entertainment industry. He’s the leading songwriter for other artistes with over 15 hit songs He’s also an artiste in his own right with a legion of female fans. Diana Kabahweza, a business woman in Kampala, met him at Silver Springs Hotel in Bugolobi.
Hi, Nince Henry. I’ve heard a lot about you. What is your real name?
My name is Henry Ssekyanzi Ninsiima.
Then where did the Nince come from?
Nince comes from Ninsiima. My grandmother used to call me that a lot so I decided to call myself that.
What is your tribe then?
I’m a Muganda-Munyankole. My dad is a Muganda and my mother is a Munyankole, but I stayed more on my mum’s side while growing up.
How many are you in your family?
We are three children and I’m the second born.
What else do you do apart from music?
I’m a student. I’m doing a Bachelors in Business Administration and Marketing at Kampala International University (KIU).
When did you start singing and writing?
I began writing songs in 2009 and singing in 2010.
What was your first written song and your first song as an artiste?
Sweet Loving by Bebe Cool was the first song I ever wrote and Cinderella was my first song as an artiste.
What is the story behind Cinderella?
It was just a composition and not a reality. Cinderella was the most appropriate name for the melody.
What can’t you do without?
Money, friends and, of course, music.
What is your worst moment ever?
There is this song I wrote for an artiste who I can’t mention and when she was asked about the song, she said she wrote it herself. I’ll never forget that.
How many hit songs have you written so far and please name some of them?
I have many but some of them are Omukwano Gunyuma by Samalie Matovu, Ekikunyumila by Julie Mutesasira, Minzani and Kamwako by Bebe Cool, Birowoozo, Begombeko and Kawowo by Iryn Namubiru, Oliwange by Rema, Kampala Anyuma Kiro by G Snake, Nalonda Gwe by Chozen and Walden, Obuyonjo by Bobi Wine and many others.
And your songs as an artiste?
Cinderella, Mpola Mpola, Sikyakaba, Nsuubiza, Kibalokye, Taata W’omuntu and the latest one Mali Yangu.
If you are told to choose between music and writing, what would you forego?
I would forego writing because sowing and reaping is far better than sowing for others to reap.
What do you think is lacking in the entertainment industry?
Government support and implementation of the Copyright Law. If that was in place, many of us would be far ahead of where we are. I mean when you count the top five hits every year, three are written by me, one is written by the artiste himself and the remaining one is by other writers. I would be reaping a lot from royalties if the Copyright Law was enforced.
What advice would you give to upcoming artistes and writers who want to be like you?
They should endeavour to identify what the market needs. The entertainment industry is so fragile, so they have to know what to put across if they want to succeed.
Where do you see yourself five years from now?
I see my self as one of Uganda’s biggest artistes, with my own record label and a very rich businessman.
Thanks for your time Nince.
Thank you too for the support.
