Eddy Kenzo, a Ugandan singer, revisits his trip to Cameroon and career.

You are in Cameroon to join BIFTY in a concert and also support a social cause. Have you participated in such events elsewhere?

Yes, I have, but my main objective for now is the show. I want to party with my Cameroonian brothers and sisters and make everyone happy. I am equally encouraging initiatives such as those of ‘Be Involved For The Youth’ (BIFTY) who strive to remain true Africans, work hard and above all, make people happy.

Your single ‘Sitya Loss’ was released in 2014 and had tremendous success in Africa and the world. The song talks of how to remain happy even in suffering. Was it a way of sharing your difficult childhood with the public?

I often do things that relate to my personal life. I grew in hardship, having lost my mother when I was just five years old. I believe there is no difference between me and other African kids who are suffering. Cameroonians and Ugandans face the same challenges. I decided to sing ‘Sitya Loss’ because I wanted to change Africa and maybe the world. I sincerely believe one man can change the world; you just need to have an idea that will impact people positively.

Cameroonians discovered you thanks to ‘Sitya Loss’, but you also have a rich repertoire of songs like ‘Yanimba’ and the album, ‘Ogenda Kunzisa.’ What is the plus that Eddy Kenzo has brought to Afro-beat music?

I consider myself a true African kid because I love Africa so much. I try as much as possible to put an African touch to everything I do. The little addition I think I have brought to Afro-beat is by remaining African in my singing style in a way that people from elsewhere will recognize my music as coming from Africa.

Your single ‘Endurance’ created controversy in your country because it was used by President Yoweri Museveni during his campaign. Do you think music can also change things in politics?

I am not involved in politics. Maybe my President wanted to use the song for his campaign because of the title. The song is ‘Stamina’, which means “strong.” Our President has been in power for more than 28 years now and is still going strong. Maybe the President used the song because he wanted to show Ugandans that he is still strong and capable of ruling his people.

You were recently in the United States of America. How do you think your discussions with American artistes could enhance your career?

It was an honour and pleasure for me to meet and exchange ideas with American artistes like Chris Brown, Akon and others. We shared ideas because it is thanks to my originality and African nature that they knew my music. So, meeting with them was more of formal compliments than talking music because American music will always remain American and African music African. It is a culture.

Cameroonian artists face big problems like piracy and non-respect of copyrights. Do Ugandan artists face the similar challenges? 

It is a common problem in the African music set-up. All African artistes suffer from either piracy or copyrights violations, but I believe the solution to the problem is coming. Africa is gradually uniting, thanks to music because more and more artistes are collaborating. We can fight piracy if we are united. It cannot be done by one person.

What are some of your plans for 2016?

I have a lot of projects on which I am currently working, but I will like to keep a low profile. But expect a lot from Eddy Kenzo in 2016!