Arts
Rebecca Jingo celebrates 18 Years of Her Trek
Rebecca Jingo
Rebecca Alice Jingo was born to the late Salongo Samson Jingo and the late Nalongo Zawedde Jingo in Kansanga.
She went Buddo Preparatory School, Nakivubo Blue, Kansanga Primary School where she wrote her PLE before joining Nakasero Senior School for O’Level and later Mengo Secondary School for A’Level.
Rebecca comes from a family of entertainers as she recalls her father singing in the church choir. He also sang to them three days before he died.
She entered the entertainment industry in her Senior Six Vacation after her brother Paul Jingo took her to the National Theatre to help back his music as he performed during jam sessions.
With over 40 songs now, the multi talented Becky as her listeners call her has spent 13 years on radio and is now celebrating 18 years on stage.
The Sunrise’s Fahad Kasibante had a discussion with her ahead of the concert to mark 18 years of her trek. The concert will be at Club Obligato on April 26, 2019. Below are excerpts:
Qn: What inspired you to join the industry?
Ans: I always envied my older brothers’ and sister’s performances Bat Valley Theatre. I wished I could sing like Irene, Paul and Robinson. My mother however advised me to first finish school. I was in Primary Five then.
Qn: Why didn’t your older brothers plead for you?
Ans: They feared our mother. She could not be easily tamed. My brothers and sister were just lucky that the late Billy Katumba had got them direct from school, talked to mum and pledged to pay half of their school fees.
Qn: When and how did you join the industry?
Ans: I remember at the National Theatre way back during its Jam Sessions. My brother Paul Jingo used to play the guitar so he got Sister Irene’s permission, brought me to the Jam Sessions where Kato Lubwama noticed my talent and started nurturing me.
From there, I became a backup singer and dancer for Silver Kyagulanyi, Betty Mpologoma, Phoebe Nassolo, Kabuye Ssembogga, Getrude Nalule, the late Martin Angume, and the late Immaculate Nabiryo among others.
It was from backing these artistes that I was also taken to studio in 2001 where I recorded and released my first song Omutunzi
How much did you get from your first song?
Ans: Oh my God I don’t want to lie to you. But before that, I used to get UGX 15,000 for backing and dancing but after the release of my song, I was elevated to Shs25,000.
Qn: Are your siblings still into entertainment?
Ans: Currently, me and Paul Jingo aka Barnabus are still in performing arts. The rest are doing other businesses although some still sing in church.
Qn: What was your relationship with Roy Kapale?
Ans: We used to perform in the same band. We were close and I always found myself in the same group with him because we used to get along really well. However, things ended after he boarded the plane.
Qn: How did you join the media?
Ans: What I can say is I am blessed. I had gone for a radio interview at Beat FM for my Sweet Beibe song. It was during this interview that the station manager realized I had the best voice and character fit for a certain program, and probably their station as well.
Qn: What are the challenges you have faced within the media?
Ans: Hypocrites. By the time I joined, there were many 2-faced individuals but with Mukunja’s help, I got there.
Another big challenge is the people we present to. When you replace a certain presenter, they give you the hardest time. They belittle and compare your presenting skills all the time.
Qn: What is your opinion about the current music industry?
Ans: Many young people are talented but the problem is they under look and disrespect big artistes.
Qn: Any advice to a young talents out there?
Ans: Don’t do what others are doing because you might not keep up with the pressure. Be yourself and present your work well for this industry is fruitful to those worthy of it and disappointing to those that don’t work hard.
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