The Observer (Kampala)
Abu-Baker Mulumba
8 July 2009
The year was 1996, and Ronald Mayinja, then a young man in senior six vacation went to Pride Theatre to try out his talent. It was there that he joined Univox Mirrors then headed by Bernard Munyigwa and released his maiden single Sinzoba and he has not looked back since.
Mayinja who traces his music career to Mpenja Primary School in Mpigi district says he polished his music while at St. Peter's Nsambya and Nakawa Business School (now MUBS) where he graduated with a diploma in business studies.
"I had not realised that I sounded like Mzee [Elly] Wamala and I immediately changed when I was told because I wanted an identity," said Mayinja.
Many believed the young Mayinja was a son of the late Elly Wamala because they sang in similar ways.
Mayinja, 32, was born to the late Joyce Namuddu and the late David Ndaula in Gomba, Mpigi district.
What is it with Gomba's children? This is also the birthplace of the late Philly Lutaaya, Elly Wamala, Annette Nandujja, Bobi Wine and Eddie Yawe.
"My childhood dream was not to become a musician but to join the army. I only feared the hard training otherwise I would be a field marshal now."
This Friday, Mayinja who has songs like Akamanyiiro, Njakuloondola, Doreen, Necklace, Kangubegube, Tuli Kubunkenke and Africa (which sold over 500,000 copies in six months) will be at Hotel Africana launching Landlord.
The new album has six songs and in Landlord, the ever controversial Mayinja highlights the problems and fights caused by land.
Londa and Kweka Enambayo are the only love songs on the album.
"I am now more into topics that touch people. People call me controversial mainly because of Africa and Tuli Kubunkenke which is not the case. They are even accusing me of softening a bit in this new album," he emphasized.
But when you listen to Tube Kyakulabirako, it is more controversial than Africa. It hits hard at politicians who are not role models, the tycoons who sacrifice children for wealth and moral decadence among the elderly.
Mayinja will launch at Africana on Friday, Colline Hotel Mukono on Saturday and Gaba Beach on Sunday. He will be accompanied by Jose Chameleone, Bobi Wine, Julianna Kanyomozi, The Obsessions, Amarula Family and Dr. Tee among others and it is here that Eagles Production will also launch their Twakutegedde.
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