Granddaughter of the late E.W. Oryema, Nyinomugisha was born and raised in Uganda. As a little girl, her passion for culture and music started when the family fled into exile, shortly after her grandfather was murdered by a brutal military regime in 1977. Life at home was then only based on Bible studying and music. In the following years to come she toured around as a traditional dancer with "Aumaling Heartbeat" before joining Namasagali College, until she moved to Germany. For the last 5 years she has been involved in different cultural projects in Germany. Acholi Times meet up with Nyinomugisha

A T: What led you to become a entertainer/musician?

It’s obvious I decided to go into music because I have always been surrounded by my talented family, who have not only gone into the music field, but also acting, modeling, fashion and music production. I also spent a great deal of time in Church as a little girl, singing along to the songs of praises because my family has always been a strict Christian family.

AT: To date, what has been your greatest moment when it comes to your career?Why?

Finishing my first Album has to be it and keeping it 100 percent Acholi hmmm!! I am definitely proud that I never learnt my mother tongue in school but at home and yet at home we mostly spoke English. On the other hand, I’m also proud of the organization that my friend and I created because we have left footsteps that has and is still being followed in bringing Afro-Germans and Africans together in Germany. In 2004 we organized the biggest Solar energy seminar ever put up by Africans here, which brought diplomats from all over Africa to Düsseldorf and through that we earned credits for a lot of Solar energy projects that are now running in Africa.

A T: Describe how your upbringing/heritage has lent to who you are today

My parents did not only run their own businesses, but were also full scale farmers as well. During that we lived in Kampala, but every weekend we went to the farm. They both worked hard and my mother…. Hmm….she is an example of pure strength that always told my sisters and I that we should always stand strong on our own as women and never depend on someone else to take care of us. That has actually made me the strong woman I am today. I also loved the life on the farm most and this I still carry on with me till now. I love being out in the fields amidst nature and can walk on and on for ages, just enjoying the sound of the wind.

A T: Beside English, how many languages do you speak and write?

Because of my primary school years in Nairobi, Kenya I learnt to read and write Swahili, though at a certain point after coming back to Uganda I sort of stopped speaking. But it’s slowly coming back to me again because I’ve got a chance to speak it now more often. Apart from the English, I speak and write both German and Acholi as well. I also took Spanish lessons, which I liked and I will continue with it next year.

A T: Could you tell us a little bit about yourself - your education, interests etc

We went into exile twice and I was in Nairobi during my primary years, until I came back and went to Namasagali College. I left in 1993 and I have been living in Germany ever since.  In 2003 I worked together with a close friend of mine from Gambia in creating and running the first African network Organization in Düsseldorf NAVGD that catered for all Africans in Germany, be it the political or social side. At that time I did not only co-host the radio shows our organization was airing, but as the secretary general, organized events that brought mixed and afro youth/families together to teach them about our culture through music, dance, storytelling, traditional dishes, fashion shows etc. That is the time when I got involved again in music and started performing with a band I and two of my girlfriends from Ivory Coast and Congo called the Voices put together. I then took vocals lessons and joined another band and kept on gigging till I decided to take time off to sit in the studio and record my Album. I have a lot of interests ……hehehe….I love travelling, everything to do with culture, if I have the time I really like writing poems, drawing and the joy in my life is playing drums. But that won’t end there because I’m in the process of brainstorming whether to migrate, then I want to study and in future would love to work mostly with children and youth

A T: What would people be surprised to know about you?

I’ve always been and still am a very shy person. I still remember in primary school, when it came to performing in the school productions, I’d always be somewhere hidden in the back, where I felt comfortable. It’s only now that, when I hear the sound of drums that I crawl out of the shell and fly.

A T: What support have you received over your career? Who are your key supporters?

My family and fans have given me lots of support. Any time when things weren’t going the way I wanted it, they were always there to give me advice that would take me further. Also my team and producer who are always out to see that I climb onto the next level with quality in my music. My name is NYINOMUGISHA which means I’m lucky and to be surrounded by positive people and luck, I can only move forward with confidence.

A T: Would you like to offer any advice to people wanting to go into the entertainment industry

As it’s always said believe in yourself. People will come up to you saying” why aren’t you singing about this and that?” “why do dress like that?” or all sorts of wishes and all I can say is do whatever you want to do as long as you’re happy doing it and let the others do the rest. I will sing about what I want. I may wake up in the morning with a headache caused by my neighbor’s dog barking, and then I’ll write about it and record it. That’s me. The world is crazy enough so I don’t have to keep singing about it, so let’s think and laugh about the little good things we experience in this life. One funny thing I once heard Monique say is “if you think you can make it, you can and if you think you can’t, then you’re probably right”. The only thing is to not only give 100 percent, but strive higher and never settle for less. I have always wanted to climb on to a higher level as I am and this is what helps me see that whatever I bring out isn’t just anything, but something. Slowly but surely!!!

A T: What is on the pipe line?

Well I have been busy working on new stuff for the last couple of months and also working on productions of other artists as well because I find this important in widening my knowledge in music and the complete package. It has just been so much that I had to cancel a lot that I’d planned for this year. But all is good and you’ll just have to wait for little surprises I’ll keep bringing your way.

A T: And finally what do you miss most from Uganda/acholiland

I miss the people, the fact that I walk on the streets and hear the language all around me and most of all Kwete hehehe!!!!!... Take that as the first I miss… Kwete!!!!!!

Nyinomugisha, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to AT, and we wish you the very best of luck for the future!!!!!