TAKEAWAYS

• Carol Nantongo says she became a mother because she felt personally ready for the responsibility.
• The singer paused new show bookings during her pregnancy to prioritize her health and her baby.
• Carol credits Mesach Semakula, his wife and her family for supporting her throughout pregnancy, childbirth and recovery.

Musician Carol Nantongo has shared the heartfelt story behind her journey into motherhood, revealing that her decision to have a child was driven by personal conviction rather than societal pressure.

The “Oliwa” singer, who recently welcomed a bouncing baby girl, said becoming a mother was something she had long desired after years of caring for her siblings and other family members.

According to Carol, she has spent years paying school fees, attending visitation days and providing support for her younger relatives. While she cherished those responsibilities, she eventually felt it was time to raise a child of her own.

“I didn’t have a baby because other people were doing it. I chose this journey because I felt ready and wanted a child I could call my own and shower with love.”

Carol also revealed that once she became pregnant, her management stopped accepting new performance bookings. She only honoured shows that had been confirmed before her pregnancy to avoid overworking herself and to focus on her health.

Speaking about her pregnancy experience, the singer said one of the biggest surprises was her change in appetite. Despite being a passionate chicken lover, she completely lost interest in eating it during the early months. Instead, she found herself craving cassava and posho, which convinced her she was expecting a baby boy.

She added that although many women struggle physically in the final stages of pregnancy, she was fortunate to remain strong and did not experience major complications.

“I had an amazing support system from the day I became pregnant until after giving birth. I will always be grateful because they made the journey much easier.”

Carol singled out veteran singer Mesach Semakula and his wife for the care they showed her throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. She said their unwavering support, alongside that of other family members and loved ones, gave her the strength and confidence to embrace motherhood.

While motherhood has brought new responsibilities, Carol says it has also fulfilled a lifelong dream of nurturing a child she can call her own.