I’m doing what God wants me to do

Briefly describe yourself
I am God-fearing, kind and approachable. I am also loving, caring, and short tempered and I tend to ignore stuff like disrespect.
What is disrespect in this case?
It’s when someone acts in an insulting way towards the other, taking others for granted. The moment one undermines or insults you, they have disrespected you.

You said you are God-fearing, you even quote the Bible, why are you doing secular music and not gospel?
I think being born again has nothing to do with my music career. I strongly believe that I am doing what the Lord wants me to do.

How different is David Lutalo the man from David Lutalo the artiste?
I am the same person and I will never change. Not even money can change my personality.

What do you stand for?
I trust in the Lord who is in charge of every situation, no matter how tough it may be. I’m not vengeful because I don’t think it is healthy to do so. I feel like I have been through it all and there’s nothing new out there that can move me.

Why did you choose music and not business?
I had no other option. Music has always been my dream and I am still passionate about it. I used to lead the school choir. On several occasions, my father complained about me not focusing on my studies but despite that, I still performed well.

Which schools did you attend?
I went to different schools. I attended Wabutungulu Primary School, Balitta lwoji Primary School, Kikunyu Primary School, Victoria Primary School then Bususa secondary School and Kasana Town Academy for secondary school.
I, however, stopped at A-Level. My father had also run out of money and he couldn’t support me yet I couldn’t do it myself anymore.

How did you do it before that?
I used to dig or clear out people’s farms, burn trees for charcoal and do a lot of casual work such as working on construction sites. Because I did some of this work in the morning before going to school, I was always being punished for being late to school.

After Kapapaala, did you think you would have another hit?
Definitely, I trust my creativity. The Kapapaala album had other nice songs such as Batusosola, Yesu, ayi Mukama, which people liked.

What do you consider to be your greatest song and why?
They are apparently two songs - Manya and Ujuwe. I always judge my songs depending on how the fans respond to them. I believe they are so much appealing.

And which is your favourite song?
I don’t have a favourite song. I consider all my songs to be nice because I can never release unbaked stuff to the market. It is not good and I doubt whether fans can ever be attracted by such. That is the reason why I work hard to give out the best.

What is your view on the quality of music in Uganda today?
To a certain extent, the quality of music in Uganda has been antagonised by unemployment where many join the industry because to make quick money rather than out of passion.
They in the long run end up producing poor quality music that can’t sustain or even put the industry to another level.
Where do you see yourself in the next five to 10 years?
I seem myself competing on the Africa level and its one reason I have resorted to shooting and producing my videos with big companies in South Africa. My latest video, So Nice was shot in South Africa.
Why do you think some musicians fade while others remain relevant?
I think it’s one’s conduct and creativity that determines one’s success of failure.

The one thing you will never do.
I can never deviate from the Bible principles of life.

What do you do for fun?
I love watching movies and soccer especially Arsenal and Uganda Cranes.

Where do you get the inspiration to write your songs?
I imagine situations and make them real. It doesn’t necessarily need me to first experience something.

What would you tell local artiste, Leila Kayondo, if you met her?
I will try to comfort her and help her focus on her career than getting engaged in fights. She must protect her dignity and also learn to respect her man.