TAKEAWAYS

• Mariam Ndagire says she left music in 2009 to focus entirely on her filmmaking career.
• Her productions, including Longing to Belong, have earned several nominations across East Africa.
• Proceeds from her upcoming concert will be used to complete a film school she has been building.

Veteran actress, singer, and filmmaker Mariam Ndagire has opened up about why she stepped away from music in 2009, revealing that she wanted to dedicate all her energy to building her career in film.

Speaking about her upcoming concert to Spark TV Uganda, Mariam explained that she bid farewell to her music fans after her Majjangwa concert in 2009 so she could fully concentrate on filmmaking.

“I said goodbye to my fans in 2009 after my Majjangwa concert to focus on my filming career but now I’m back,” she said.

According to Mariam, the decision has paid off as her film career has grown significantly over the years, earning recognition across East Africa and beyond. She noted that her productions have received several nominations at different awards ceremonies across the region.

The celebrated creative revealed that her film Longing to Belong has already received about eight nominations this year alone. She also disclosed that one of her documentaries has been nominated, alongside other productions that have gained recognition in countries such as Tanzania, Nigeria, and Zanzibar.

Having established herself firmly in the film industry, Mariam says she now feels ready to return to the stage and reconnect with the fans who have been asking for a concert for years.

She promised supporters a memorable show as she marks her comeback to music after nearly two decades away from the concert scene.

Beyond entertaining fans, the concert will also contribute to a cause close to her heart. Mariam disclosed that the proceeds from the event will be directed towards completing a film school project that she has been developing for a long time.

The school, she explained, is intended to help nurture and train the next generation of filmmakers, further strengthening Uganda’s growing film industry.