By Our Reporter
Joseph Israel Mwebesa is a household name in Fort Portal. He is a singer, song writer, instrumentalist and also Director at Creations Band.
We caught up with him as he prepares for his debut solo album launch titled “I Love Fort Portal”.
Tell us abit about yourself.
I am a gifted song writer, singer, composer and instrumentalist. I am also a trained counselor and a professional Marketer (ACIM).
Why did you choose music despite your good professional training?
My professional training has continuously created in me a conviction and challenge to use my musical talents to create a bigger solution in society especially tapping into people’s special talents and abilities. Most importantly, its passion driven since my childhood. Without passion, I would have given up.
What new things have you brought to the music industry in Tooro?
By 2011, many considered it hard to sing Rutooro and English. But my coming to the industry proved them wrong. If you access them on our creations band website www.creationsband.com or on YouTube, you will confirm this. People in Tooro and western Uganda now appreciate and enjoy Tooro Music. In my musical career, I have written a number of songs for people including couples and organizations, put up my first Rutooro Album “I Love Fort Portal” and will be launching it on the 27th of December at Nyaika Hotel Fort Portal. Have also come up with 3 key collaborations including “True Love” currently doing very well on a number of radio stations. I have established Creations Band a recording and performing band.
Which achievement do you take pride in so far in your music career?
My music and message have so far reached many people in Tooro and changed negative attitude towards Tooro Music. The online platforms for my music have very encouraging feedback. We have somehow twisted the role of music from mere entertainment to edutainment using songs like Beautiful Land, Power within you, Myekwaso, I love Fort Portal etc. and that’s good.
What’s so special with your new album you plan to launch?
This is my first-born album, that alone drives a special attachment. It has unique songs many of which are inspirational talking about my sentiments and attachments to my sweet Motherland Tooro. Its rare for an artiste to just come up with a full music album about a place. Its on record, I have made a great contribution to lift the brand of Tooro and that’s quite special about the Album.
Tell us more about the “I Love Fort Portal” album.
The album has 14 songs – 4 of which directly talk about Fort portal and the Beauty and endowment of Tooro. These include; the Beautiful Land, Tooro Nsi Nungi and Come Home. Most of them are inspirational in nature while others are very nice love songs. The song “I Love Fort Portal” lays the foundation for the entire album. It was not only my very first song but also provided direction for writing other songs on the album. The album has two collaborations with the recent one being True Love, a very captivating love song. There are other very enjoyable songs like Nyamaizi which is a blend of modern styles and traditional Tooro style of music.
What can people expect at the launch?
We have planned to make it quite different, very entertaining and memorable. It will be a live show of entertainment and a demonstration of solidarity for Tooro Music. I am working hard to ensure all legendary Musicians of Tooro like John Kaawha, Akiiki Romeo and others perform at the concert.
What are your long-term goals as a musician?
With Creations Band, I hope to make it a strong music label in Uganda which will not only promote musical talent but also be a platform for advocacy, empowerment and promotion of special talents and abilities among youth in Uganda. My dream is to make more or less a home of best talents at creations Band. There are currently many unemployed talented young people and that hurts! They should be employing their talents.
