Holly Davis recounts her life-changing trip to Uganda, where she met Ugandan UBC TV presenter and rising afro-pop/dancehall artist Jimmie - who wants to use his talent to inspire others and create a lasting change in Africa.
Several years ago I ventured to Uganda to visit a small town called Nakawa. located on the eastern edge of the capital Kampala, approximately 10 kilometres from the busy central business district. This was my first trip to Africa and one which would be a life-changing experience that would evoke in me an interest for development, Africa and the developing world.
During the two week trip we worked alongside a local feeding project for orphans, taught in the local school, refurbished local buildings, visited the sick and infirm and spent time within the community. We all encountered an environment, that was very different to the UK: the heat, the dust, the new cuisine. But we were all overwhelmed by the generosity of the remarkable and welcoming people we met along the way.
As we travelled around to local schools and places of interest in an understated white minibus, I started to build friendships. Among spontaneous singing and laughter I was able to exchange stories and experiences with a group of young men. Jimmie (full name: Kamenye Jimmie King) now aged 24, was one of them. Jimmie was part of the local dance group and had a charismatic character, a compassion for children and a fanatical love for music, (as did I).
"Although I’m already well recognized, one cannot achieve fully while Uganda is still wrapped up in things such as corruption, tribalism and unfair judgment."
Jimmie is of Rwandanese origin but was born in Mukono district in Uganda. He currently lives in Ntinda, a suburb of Kampala with his elder sister and two cousins. Jimmie left school at 16 after his father was unable to financially support him with further study. Despite his father’s desire for Jimmie to join the police force, he joined a dancing group at the local New Life Baptist church, which he tells me helped “kick start my entertainment career as a dancer”.
Several years on, Jimmie has worked his way up and now presents a kid’s show on the Uganda broadcasting corporation television station. He has worked on a show entitled ‘Come Alive & Take Me Back Home” for the last three years. His daily routine involves waking up at 6am every morning and starting his day in prayer, he’ll then take a jog or do some exercise and follow it up with a disciplined vocal training session before setting of for work.
His job at Uganda’s preferred network brings him in just short of £30 a month. While this job has provided a good introduction to the entertainment industry, Jimmie is dedicated to building a career as a reputable music artist.
His dedication to his music at the young age of 24 is already starting to pay off, just last month he won The Wakiso Music Festival Award for best Zouk single.
This good news comes less than a month after Jimmie received some devastating news: that three of his friends had been killed in the 11 July 2010 terrorist bombings in Kampala. The explosions, which injured about 70 people, ripped through a rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant [1] as football fans watched the last few minutes of the World Cup final.
After this very sad news, Jimmie took a couple of weeks break in Rwanda to visit some relatives, to take stock and to explore the music industry in Rwanda. Upon his return he is back on track with a new music video.
In a recent conversation he told me who he is currently listening: namely ATM, Damien and Ziggy Marley, K’nann, John Legend and Wycleff Jean. Jimmie expresses his love for music as being “one of the sweetest things in my life because it instills hope in me for a better future”. He updates his music site [2] with the words “I believe I can make a change NOW! Take a stand and say No to inequalities”.
Jimmie “wants a better world” and wants to inspire those around him through his music to join him in his movement for lasting change in Africa.
However, Jimmie acknowledges that the realisation of making a change is often blighted by the many obstacles that come with living in a developing country, he remarks “although I’m already well recognized, one cannot achieve fully while Uganda is still wrapped up in things such as corruption, tribalism and unfair judgment. He elaborates saying “I do music but it’s hard to see it get played on commercial radio because every presenter wants money to play it on his or her show”. Despite the setbacks he has already proven that he can overcome some of life’s toughest struggles and therefore his dream of becoming an established music artist is attainable like everything else he has achieved against the odds.
He remarks “I plan on going on with music because I believe its the only tool I can use to speak to the world”. Alongside his music Jimmie also gives time to a local project with a group of friends from his local church called "MY CHILD" the project seeks to reach out to children from poor families and supports them with school materials and an access to education.
His latest single ‘Tukole’ can be listened to on kamiemuzik.ning.com [2]. Recorded with a US-based underground rapper, the track directly translates as “Youth Lets Work Harder”. Jimmie “wants a better world” and wants to inspire those around him through his music to join him in his movement for lasting change in Africa.
Words: Holly Davis
Links:
[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10821630
[2] http://kamiemuzik.ning.com/