Rowenah Birungi’s smooth vocals have cast her into unwanted spotlight 

ROWENAH BIRUNGI is a young female gospel artiste who has been singing professionally for the last four years and released her breakthrough song Nga Ndi Naawe, in 2020.

She has other songs such as Gologoosa, which is also trending on Christian channels, as well as, Waguma and Mpitawo, among others. As she is preparing for her upcoming concert on December 7, Quick Talk caught up with her at MCF studios in Mutundwe.

Thanks for sparing your time for the interview.

It’s a pleasure meeting you, thanks.

Is Rowenah your real name?

Yes, it is. My name is Rowena Birungi. I am a gospel artiste and songwriter. I went to Mengo Senior School for both O-level and A-level, and then to Makerere University Business School for a bachelor’s degree in Business Computing. And I love God… that’s all about me.

Are you married or single?

I am not married.

Were your parents okay with you being an musician even after such a good course at university?

By the time I started singing, I only had one parent; my dad had passed on [oh, sorry about that], so, my mom was really very supportive of my decision because I was almost completing my university and, besides, it also made her feel proud of me.

Were you born and raised in a Christian family?

Yes, I grew up in a Christian family. My mother is a born-again Christian; so, we used to go to church together.

Should Quick Talk assume you used to sing in church?

I remember I used to sing in church and at home, just for fun, but was not really serious about it. Actually, most people who know me from childhood are surprised that I am a musical artiste now. I didn’t really show it.

Actually, one thing I have not told you is that I used to write songs when I was still young, but just for myself to sing, not like recording them or anything; but after a while, I was inspired by a lady called Rachel Namubiru, who is also a gospel artiste [Namubiru is behind popular songs such as Omubumbi, Ompisizaawo and Nzize.]

For how long have you been singing?

It’s now four years, because I started to sing professionally in 2020.

How many songs have you released so far?

So far, I have released ten songs, but I have more in the pipeline.

We have gospel artistes who sing reggae, hip-hop and other styles; do you have a specific genre?

For me, it is gospel worship; I just love worshiping God wherever I go.

Every artiste has that song that pushes them to a new level. What was your breakthrough song?

My breakthrough song was actually my first song, which is called Nga Ndi Naawe. People really got to know me from that song, but also Waguma worked very well for me.

Speaking of which, you have a new song called Mpitawo, and it is already working so well. What is the story behind it?

As a songwriter, I was thinking about something that would really touch someone going through a terrible situation, because people go through different hardships and they end up giving up. So, I wanted a song which someone could listen to and realize there is hope at the end of the tunnel.

Do you write all your songs?

They are like two songs that I did not write, but the rest of the songs, I have written them myself.

Are you under a music label or you manage yourself?

I am under a music label called JBL studios, which has been managing me right from when I had just started singing. They also actually noticed me after releasing my first song.

A lot of gospel artistes don’t make money off their music and many have given up after a short time. What pushes you amidst the challenges?

First of all, I want to thank my record label because it has helped me maneuver through the challenges. Everything that comes up, we pass through it together. But the biggest thing that pushes me is that I feel it’s only through music that I can express myself fully. I feel I have a message at heart but I am not a good communicator. Through music, I can give it out.

Is there any time you felt like giving up?

It may come as a surprise, but I fear things of the spotlight; so, at first I only wanted to record my songs and listen to them myself in the bedroom, just for fun and I wasn’t planning to release them to the public.

After I became a professional gospel artiste and the spotlight started coming, I did not like it at first and felt like pulling out [laughs about it]. Fame comes with mixed feelings. I want to sing for people, but at the same time, I don’t want the spotlight.

What do you do outside music?

Currently it is only music.

You have an upcoming concert on December 7. No bigger spotlight than that!

Actually, it will be my second concert. I held a maiden concert last year during the Easter celebrations. Like I said earlier, being under a record label has really helped me so much; most artistes take long to hold concerts because they meet the costs individually, but here the costs are met as a team.

What should your fans expect?

They should expect to receive food for their souls through music from various gospel artistes that will grace that day. Pastor Herbert Twina will be there, Brian Lubega, Sarah Sserumaga and many others; so, I call upon my fans to come in big numbers.