The diva spoke of a drug incident in which she was arrested in Japan, saying her manager was involved and that her own mother became too defence and hinted she was involved as well
Singer Iryn Namubiru has opened up about a painful chapter in her life, revealing that she has not spoken to her mother in 11 years.
The revelation came during the latest episode of Tusker Malt Conversessions, where the celebrated artist delved into the betrayals, hardships, and personal struggles that have shaped her life and career.
In a moment that stunned viewers, Namubiru candidly shared how her world unraveled following the infamous 2013 Japan incident, where she was arrested at Tokyo's Narita International Airport after drugs were discovered in her luggage.
According to the singer, her then-manager, Tedius, was later exposed as the mastermind behind the setup. She recounted how she immediately fired him upon learning the truth, but the real heartbreak came from her own family's reaction--particularly her mother's.
Rather than standing by her daughter's side, Namubiru said her mother's behaviour raised suspicion.
"She was at first indifferent, then became overly defensive before even being confronted, acting like a guilty party," she disclosed.
It was only after listening to phone recordings and conducting further investigations that Namubiru says she came to terms with a devastating reality about her own mother.
She assured viewers that she has documented everything in a manuscript, which she has chosen not to publish yet. However, she hinted at a future revelation.
"Should anything happen to me, I will instruct the release of the recordings and written accounts of everything I have endured," she said.
Beyond her family turmoil, Namubiru also spoke about her struggles in the music industry and why she stepped away from the spotlight.
"I have been dead (figuratively) for over eleven years now," she admitted. The weight of betrayal, industry politics, and public scrutiny drained her passion and morale.
"People you count on, people you trust, people you think are your everything--your heroes--can end up being the same people who destroy you, who really kill you," she reflected.
She also spoke about the impact of online attacks and defamation, revealing that she has been actively tracking comments and saving the insults and conspiracies spread about her.
Iryn Nambiru, the one half of the original I-Jay musical duo of Irene and Juliana says she has documented her family scandal. Going further, she disclosed that she has even traced IP addresses to identify individuals behind targeted attacks.
"People say words don't kill, but words do kill, especially in a society like ours where you cannot talk about certain things," she said.
Her trials did not end with betrayal and industry challenges. Namubiru also recounted her near-death experience during the tragic 2018 Lake Victoria boat accident.
She revealed that she had initially ignored several signs urging her to stay home but ultimately went ahead with a friend's invitation.
When the accident happened, she recalled hearing a voice reassuring her survival. "I heard a voice saying, 'You will reach, don't panic, don't scream, you won't die.'
If this is not God, then I don't know," she said, reflecting on what she described as a miraculous escape that solidified her faith.
Speaking about the vision behind Tusker Malt Conversessions, Elizabeth Mutamuliza, Head of Beer at Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), emphasized that the platform aims to celebrate the depth and authenticity of Ugandan music.
"Tusker Malt has always been about celebrating true craftsmanship, and Conversessions is an extension of that. With Season 3, we wanted to go beyond the music and explore the depth of artistry, the sacrifices, the passion, and the real stories behind the craft. The fans get to see the journey, the heart, and the soul that goes into making great music," she explained.
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Despite the pain and struggles she has endured, Tusker Malt Conversessions proved that Namubiru's voice remains as angelic and powerful as ever.
She closed the episode with a stunning performance of Tebiba Bingi, leaving fans in awe of her vocal prowess.
Throughout the episode, she performed six songs, each a nostalgic reminder of her talent and legacy. Alongside Tebiba Bingi, she delivered heartfelt renditions of Nkwagala Nyoo, Nkuweki, Nsonyiwa, Birowoozo, and Kabi Ki.
As Tusker Malt Conversessions continues to unfold, audiences can expect more breathtaking performances and eye-opening conversations from Uganda's most iconic musicians.
