Legendary Ugandan musician and actress Mariam Ndagire says she never deliberately chose a career in music, insisting that music has always found its way into her life.
Speaking on a podcast, Ndagire explained that her primary passion has always been theatre, but the love and support she has received from musicians and music lovers have continually pulled her toward the industry.
“I am a theatre person but the love artists from music have for me doesn’t allow me to stay in theatre only.”
Ndagire said singing has always come naturally to her and that her journey into music began through choir performances before she eventually found herself singing solo in theatre productions.
She recalled how legendary musician Moses Matovu noticed her talent while she was still performing in a choir and encouraged her to step forward and showcase her voice.
“Moses Matovu singled me out from the choir and told me to stand up and told me to start singing alone for the plays.”
According to Ndagire, that experience helped expose her singing abilities and gradually opened another path for her alongside her work in theatre.
Although she identifies primarily as a theatre person, Ndagire has gone on to establish herself as one of Uganda’s respected musical and performing arts figures, with her career spanning several decades.
For her, however, music was never something she had to force. Instead, she believes it kept insisting on becoming part of her journey.