The Observer (Kampala)
David Tumusiime
4 November 2009
Kampala — If there was ever a time when new singer on the block Miranda Bright needed the strength her music gives her, this is that time. With her husband Major Godfrey Kyomuhendo deeply embroiled in Damian Akanwasa's Shs 900m scandal and facing legal and career repercussions, Miranda finds particular comfort in her songs like Hakuna Mwingine (There's No One Like You).
Major Godfrey Kyomuhendo is a brother to Juliet Katusiime Akankwasa, the estranged wife of suspended NFA boss Damian Akankwasa. It is understandably an issue Miranda will not touch. But she will go so far as revealing that she has been married to Major Kyomuhendo since 2007 and they do have one biological daughter Christabel.
But as for the music, Miranda could talk about that forever. Apart from a brief spell after her senior six at Kinoni Girls when she was convinced to abandon her music, Miranda has been following the musical path. Miranda says of that time that, "I was called to Makerere University for MDD (Music, Dance and Drama) and at Makerere Business School for a diploma in Information and Secretarial Studies. Both on government scholarship."
The dilemma of where to go was solved by her family who argued that, "You already have talent. You can do music any time. You do the other one." It was a misstep because Miranda says, "I have ended up not having much use for that diploma."
But the 33-year-old singer who lost both parents before she was out of primary school believes she was being sensible.
"It was a hard growing up," Miranda candidly reveals, "But somehow I have made it."
Miranda has made it to the extent of already having one album to her name. Her 2007 debut Akanchiza may have made little impact because, "I got busy with preparing for my wedding that I did not have time to push it," but it did set precedents. Miranda says since Akanchiza, "I lead all my albums with a gospel song because I have a strong faith in the power of God.
And fans seem to like my gospel singing a lot."
Of the four singles she has released this year, certainly Hakuna Mwingine is the most compelling. Others like Kabetale, Nakuhitaji, and Obufuzi prove she does have a musical talent. Albeit one that still needs quite a bit of polishing from Mbarara standards to Kampala standards. But Hakuna Mwingine is her declaration of intent that she means to be more than a flash in the pan when it comes to making music.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2009 The Observer. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
