Joanita Kawalya’s little girl no longer so little…

MATILDA WHITNEY NAKAYIMA aka Matty Witty, 28, is a singer on a mission of using her voice to advocate for the rights of persons with disability in the entertainment industry. Quick Talk caught up with her for a chat.

Could you briefly tell Quick Talk about yourself?

I am Matilda Whitney Nakayima aka Matty Witty. I am a musician, youth empowerment advocate, a leader serving at the National Union of Creative, Performing Artists and Allied Workers (NUCPAAW) Council as the deputy representative of persons with disabilities (PWDs); my role is to empower PWDs in the creative sector [Quick Talk found her at National theatre preparing to go in for a NUCPAAW meeting].

I come from a musical background; my mother is Joanita Kawalya of the Afrigo band and my father is Christopher Kagolo Muganga. My grandfather is the late Eclas Kawalya. I graduated from Makerere University with a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Music.

What kind of disability do you have?

I am a special-needs person; the whole right side of my body has a problem, but I have been going through physiotherapy from childhood which has helped me to be more firm and carry out my duties.

How was it like growing up with a disability?

The stigma and discrimination was quite challenging because even up to now, people see me as someone who cannot do certain things, yet I can even do much more than what people expect me to do. And here you are now, doing music!

I used to participate in music, dance and drama competitions throughout school and I was able to build my skills from there. But I never knew that you could study music; so, when I went to university and saw the course, I was delighted to study it and pursue a career in it. 

I started doing music professionally in 2016 during my second year at university. Music has built my confidence and it has also been one way of escaping from what people thought I couldn’t do.

Did your mum have any influence on your choosing music?

[Smiling:] No. She told me to pursue whatever I wanted and that she would support it; so, even though she is a singer, she never influenced me to do music. It was my own passion but still my family has been very supportive.

Didn’t she ever take you to Afrigo band shows or rehearsals?

Yeah, she did sometimes. I actually did my internship at Afrigo. I am like their little acquaintance and they have groomed me very well in the behavioral aspects of the music industry. I have also worked with other music bands such as Barbed Wire and Unit 446, which have helped build my career.

I have seen you perform with your mum on the same stage. How does that feel?

It is nerve-wracking for starters, because she is more experienced than me but she lets me express myself the best way I can. On the other side, it also gives me an opportunity to learn from her and it is fun as well because I get to work with my mum and it strengthens our bond.

Do you ever get stage fright?

Yes. But it is a good thing and I use it to my advantage because when I see the crowd, I get nervous at first but build up my confidence immediately after seeing how welcoming everyone is.

What are some of the songs you have done?

I released an EP in 2022 with songs such as Ombeere Kumpi, Bw’otamufeeko, Strong Love, and Mpambatira. I write all the songs myself because at university is it one of the creative skills we were taught. I write rumba, Afrobeat, and bax ragga genres [her songs are not just for fun but educative as well; they address issues such as the importance of girl-child education, HIV/Aids, early marriages and pregnancies and discrimination among PWDs].

Apart from your mum, which other singers inspire you? In Uganda I look up to Rema Namakula because of her character and the way she conducts the audience during her performances. I have met her once as a fan but would love to meet her for a one-on-one talk and maybe to even collaborate. Outside Uganda, I listen to the late Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, Adele and Rihanna.

What do you do for fun, music aside?

I watch movies, read lots of books. Presently I have been reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad and The Saint, The Surfer and The CEO. Through reading, I get inspiration and stories I can tell to people out there in a Uganda version.

Are you dating?

No. I am still looking for money [bursts into laugher]. I am concentrating on looking for more opportunities to showcase my talent, perform on bigger stages and collaborations. I feel like I can’t balance the two [career and relationship] right now.

What plans do you have for 2025?

I have a lot of plans to release music. I plan on releasing more singles and a full album thereafter. I also have plans of expanding my advocacy work through the Good Will of Love Initiative and helping children with disabilities.

Could you tell Quick Talk about The Good Will of Love Initiative?

I founded The Good Will Of Love Initiative with a main purpose of building capacity and positive attitudes towards children with disabilities because I noticed that we face a lot of discrimination. It also works to change public attitudes towards people with disability through building a culture of self-reliance and moving away from dependence on other sections of society.

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered as a person who was outgoing, confident and conquered criticism and discrimination. I would like to be remembered as a sweet soul but also as a person who fought hard for her rights and went out there to showcase her talent.

Any words of advice to a talented disabled young person out there?

Stick to your dreams and goals, but remember that you have to be resilient and focused. Go out there and look for opportunities to showcase your talent because no one is going to give you the platform on a silver platter.