Uganda: Raising Young Singers

Uganda: Raising Young Singers

New Vision (Kampala)

9 June 2007
Posted to the web 11 June 2007

Patrick Mutebi
Kampala

Paul Ssaka has made himself as a composer of music for schools.

Never judge a book by its cover, the saying goes. This is certainly true of Paul Ssaka - his personality will tell you little about his accomplishments.

Simple and down to earth, he speaks softly and takes his time to respond when addressed. But beneath the calm exterior lies ambition and a passion for music. Ssaka is a songwriter, a trainer of young musicians and a performer.

The 55-year-old is behind many of the songs released by schools today, like Tutudde tuli mu kakiiko and Tusanyuse okubalaba.

"I'm sure nobody can compete with me (in writing music for schools). I have full control over this territory until I decide to change professions," he says emphatically.

In the 1990s, the mere mention of the name St. Balikuddembe Mitala Maria would trigger thoughts of the songs the students used to sing. At the time Ssaka, a student at the school, was just beginning his journey that would completely change the face of music in schools.

Today, he is at Buddo SS where he is in charge of music and drama. His influence has also spread to St. Balikuddembe SS, Kisoga, St. Peter's, Nkokonjeru and Star Primary School, Namasuba, among many others.

Recently a delegation from the Mityana District local government paid Buddo SS a visit, to honour Ssaka. The delegation included the Resident District Commissioner, Margaret Kivumbi,and the presidential adviser on agriculture, Godfrey Nyombi.

Presenting Ssaka a bouquet of flowers, a goat, a Kanzu and a certificate during a colourful ceremony, Kivumbi said: "Honouring someone who is still alive is the best thing you can do for anyone who has done good in society. It motivates them."

She added: "It is of no benefit to say good things about someone, buy an expensive coffin, barkcloth and lots of eats and drinks after their death."

Buddo SS headmaster Lawrence Muwonge said: "Ssaka is indeed a great resource. He's done us proud with the songs he writes and by training our students. We feel good when we see that people out there appreciate his work."

Born in 1967 to the late Anthony Katongole and Urita Nakabuye of Kyennyonyi, Gomba in Mpigi District, Ssaka is the fifth of eight children. He went to St. Aloysius Primary School in Bukalagi for his P1 to P4, before joining Mawokota-Buwungu for P5.

He then went on to study at St. Aloysius Mitala Maria for his P6 and P7, before joining St. Balikuddembe Mitala Maria for his secondary education. From there he went to train as a teacher at Nkozi National Teachers College

While at St. Balikuddembe Mitala Maria, Ssaka began to feel he had musical talent and all he wanted was for the administration to avail him with the opportunity to unleash his creativity. "I was in S2 when I talked to the headmaster, Charles Ssebunnya, about this. After realising how serious I was, he allowed to do whatever I wanted, provided it was in line with music," recalls Ssaka.

For the six years he was at St. Balikuddembe, in addition to his studies, Ssaka wrote songs for his felllow students. With songs like Munsi eno okozeemu ki, Talanta, Mubazadde abaana, Kuuma eddaala lyo and Mutuzadde bangi, among others, the school gained prominence.

"Because of this, a good number of students wanted to study at St. Balikuddembe. The parents too fought to get their children admitted at the school," says Ssaka.

"Artistes like Catherine Kusasira, Iryn Namatovu, Fred Sserugga (all now of Eagles Production), Dennis Mawanda of WBS, Kizito Kayiira of Radio Kaboozi, Annie Ssebunnya of CBS, Charles Ssensuwa of Super FM and Connie Nalugwa of Radio Simba all passed through my hands while at St. Balikuddembe," he reveals.

Because of his record at St. Balikuddembe and Buddo SS, the committee that was set up to organise Kabaka Muwenda Mutebi's 1999 wedding approached Ssaka, through Robert Ssebunnya, then a minister in the Buganda government, and asked him to compose a song in honour of the Kabaka and Nabagereka.

"I wrote the song Emitima gy'Abaganda with a lot of care, especially in my choice of words, because I knew my king and the Nabagereka would be my first audience. I was happy that they loved the song," Ssaka says.

Today, schools - both primary and secondary - compete for his services. This has made him a busy man as he has to visit various schools and finalise deals to compose for them music.

Ssaka has released five albums since he joined Buddo SS in 1999, with songs like Oli maaso moogi, Buliba buti, Omulembe omutebi, Buddo bukulike among others, which have been well received if the amount of airplay they receive on local FMs and TV stations is anything to go by.

Because of his compositions, Ssaka has been to State House twice at the invitation of President Yoweri Museveni. His students have sung at several major functions at which Kabaka Mutebi, the Nabagereka Sylvia Nagginda or the President were present.

No wonder then that in February, the Kabaka appointed Ssaka Commissioner for Entertainment in Buganda Kingdom. The department falls under the youth ministry. "My work as commissioner is to look out for music and drama talent among the youth in all corners of Buganda and help them nurture their talent," he says.

A father of seven, Ssaka starts writing songs immediately after he wakes up at around 6:00am.

He is currently working on an album of which he says: "Through the song Temuggyanga, which I sing myself, I hope to teach Ugandans that they should begin to appreciate and honour those who have done good in society when they are still alive."