A lawyer and musician

Do your legal clients know you also sing?
Some know but others don’t since I only sing for the passion and talent. I don’t get enough time to promote my music. Those who know I am a singer also know I am a hardworking person at office.
Shall we hear one day that you have quite the stressing office for full-time music?
I have wanted to be a lawyer since childhood although I also developed a passion for music.
When did you realise you could sing?
I started singing when I was at Kampala International University in 2008. I founded the Anglican Chapel of the University. It was there that I recorded my first song called Jangu Ontaase, a gospel song.
Did the song become a hit?
Since I was still in school, I didn’t get time to market and promote the song so I wouldn’t say it was a hit. I was also focused on becoming a lawyer.
Why did you waste your effort in recording that song?
A year after, a Tanzanian friend of mine called Green who was a music producer proposed that I redo the song. It worked well and up to now it still receives airplay. It is from that song that I met St Andrews, a renowned song writer. He wrote for me a Reggae song called Breathe Away.
The title is the same with Radio and Weasel’s song, who copied who?
When I released mine, many people started telling me Radio and Weasel have the same title song. But to be honest, I didn’t know about Radio and Weasel’s Breathe Away song and I haven’t gotten time to listen to it up to now.
Did sharing a title with Radio and Weasel’s help to promote it?
Not really, but the song worked well for me and introduced me to different people and opportunities. I continued to work with St Andrews. He wrote me a song titled Kankuwe, which became my turning point from gospel to secular music.
So you will never do gospel again?
At the end of it all, my destination will be gospel music because I am a staunch Christian who will never give up on my faith.
Don’t you face criticism switching from gospel to secular music?
They are many, especially those who I used to go to church with. One thing I know about myself is that I am a no-nonsense Mukiga who doesn’t care what people say though I take criticism very seriously.
What is the different between Counsel Hans and Hannington Rwamwana?
Hannington Rwamwana is a serious man, in office from 8am to 5pm attending to clients. After office, I am Counsel Hans, a singer who frequents the nightlife.
How do you handle the pressure to turn to alcohol and narcotics?
To be honest with you, I don’t drink alcohol or use narcotic substances. When I am out in the night, it is strictly business. When I am done performing at a concert or club, I go straight home.
Do you sing for the money or passion?
Of course, when money comes you cannot refuse to take it. I sing mostly for passion but also the money.
Artistes are known for sleeping with video vixens and at some times fall in love with them, and you Mr Lawyer?
To avoid any mistakes, I always use my wife in my music videos. It is my wife and children who feature in my Breathe Away video.
So you will use your wife in all music videos to avoid sleeping with vixens?
No, it was only in one video. In other videos, she is always there to make sure nothing stupid happens between me and the girls around.
What inspires your song lyrics?
Most of my songs are love songs because I am so in love with my wife.
How do you behave while on stage because not everyone knows you are a lawyer?
Unlike other artistes, I still try so much to protect my title as a lawyer. I dress well and mind whatever I say while on stage.
What artistes habits do you disapprove of?
The vulgarity, especially by comedians who crack obscene jokes at comedy nights.
Which Ugandan artistes inspire you?
I am inspired by artistes like Maurice Kirya, Eddy Kenzo and Oscar Kihika because he is also a singing lawyer.
How many songs do you have?
I have two albums and each of them has seven songs. I am going to shoot videos for my songs titled Kagato and Nkaburigyo, which I did with producer Paddy Man at Audio One studio.
Which places have you performed at?
I have performed at Club Silk, The Heat bar and at the annual Ekinihiro show in Mbarara.

Music master

Women fancy men with two careers like you, how many girls do you have at the moment?
Haha! I’m a married man. I have been married to my wife Nina Sara Rwamwana for seven years now. We have three children and are planning to get more.
You are confident saying out your wife’s name like you have nothing to hide
I am a faithful and staunch Christian who will never cheat on my wife.
What’s that in your wife that makes faithful to her?
My wife is a beautiful woman who never gets tired of me. She is always available when I need her. I have not gotten tired of her either, even after being with her for seven years.
So the other girls you have come across are not as beautiful
I didn’t say they are not beautiful but they are so materialistic. I worked hard with my wife from scratch and now that I am not badly off, who are they to come from nowhere and take my money!
What do you mean you worked hard with your wife from scratch?
Back then when I was staying with my father in the village in Kamwenge District, we fell in love with Nisha but we were still in school. My father didn’t entertain it and decided to send me away from home. We came to Kampala and started a new life and here we are now.