Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
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New Vision - December 20, 2004
Elvis Basudde
"Drama is a representation of life on stage. Art in Uganda is politics. I have been a stage politician since 1990. Now I am going to look at it (drama) in the real sense in Parliament," says Ndawula, who has been writing political plays. The Bamunanika constituency seat fell vacant in May this year when Kisamba Mugerwa took up a UN job.
The victory was no mean feat for the 32- year-old Ndawula, considering the strength of the other contestants, including the Mukono RDC, Deo Nsereko, who came third with 5,822 votes, the Kalangala LC3 boss, John Kayanja, 6,333 votes, the DP candidate, Erasta Kibirige, 754 votes and Dr Elizabeth Nabatanzi, 624 votes.
Ndawula won with 8,995 votes. His ambition to become a legislator started in 2001, when he contested for the same seat and lost to Kisamba. Then, he garnered 9,920 votes against Kisama's 17,900.
Ndawula's courage to stand against Kisamba, who became his friend, must have worked in Ndawula's favour. When he lost in 2001, he congratulated Kisamba and vowed to work with him. He said he was inspired to go to Parliament because he wanted to champion the cause of the artistes.
The legislator has always endeavoured to develop his constituency. For instance, he bought a Coaster bus to ease transport problems of his constituents. As a result, the fare from Katagwe to Kampala has been reduced from sh12,000 to sh4,000.
Ndawula says some big Movement supporters decampaigned him by referring to him as a multipartist. He, however, added that he knew he would sail through because his people knew he was a staunch Movementist.
He said he would form a constituency council, Bamunanika MP Council, which would have five members. The members would help him seek the views of the grassroots people on how best the area can be developed.
Ndawula also promised to promote sports and theatre activities in the area in order to empower, especially the youth, who he said have been sidelined.
"I am going to start Ndawula Cup for the youth, initiate a Bamunanika FC and register it with Kakungulu Cup. This would also involve sensitising people on the important social and political issues in the country," he said. Ndawula also promised to encourage his people to go for HIV tests so that they would know their HIV status.
Those found positive would be helped to start early treatment. He said he would persuade a number of NGOs to provide subsidised health facilities in the area. The legislator is the founder and director of Superstars Drama group, commonly known as Ebimuli Bya Kampala. He is also a playwright, producer, actor, singer, dancer and a radio presenter.
Ndawula said theatre was part of community mobilisation, and the politics of Uganda is about mobilising people for development. He added that politics was compatible with theatrical activities. He said things change with time and added that the type of art in Uganda today requires committed and dedicated people.
"Artistes today are dedicated people because we tackle themes and plots, which need mainly real thinkers. We depict important national issues in many controversial matters in our plays. Ideas in our art are great so it is unfair to call artistes jokers," Ndawula said.
According to him, performing artistes should be given more chances to join politics because one of the best aspects of politics is talking. Art being a model of communication, it is an area, which should be given priority. He also said artistes express themselves better than some people in other disciplines.
Ndawula, who his colleagues refer to as the Schwarznegger of Uganda, is a different breed of actor. He exhibits a unique stage presence, which is difficult to come by in Uganda's theatrical circles. His talent is most conspicuous in the plays he wrote and takes leading role. Some of his popular plays are Enswagiro, Kabiriiti, Nakatoligo and Galubindi 2000. Enswagiro won The Best Play of the Year Award in 1996
The legislator's creativity and artistry is highlighted in artistes Winnie Munyenga's Sasira video clip. If you have seen the naughty character acting the role of the busy husband in the tape, not giving enough time to his wife, then you have seen Ndawula in action.
His emergence into the limelight came when he formed a performing group, the Superstars Drama group in 1995, after acting with the Black Pearls group from 1990. Ndawula was born in 1972 to Hajji Ibrahim Ssekyanzi and Fatima Ssekyanzi. Although born in Singo, he grew up with his maternal grandparents in Janda in Zirobwe sub-county, Bamunanika county. "I got a number of sympathy votes from women because my rival contestants used to abuse me that I was mugyananyiina (illegitimate child) simply because I grew up with maternal parents," he said.
Ndawula went to Ngalokalu PS in Bamunanika, Wakataayi SSS for æ0' and A'levels before joining Makarere University to study Music, Dance and Drama (MDD). He worked with Star FM as a presenter. He was one of the six pioneer presenters and host of the popular Bamugendawala programme. Later, he crossed to Radio Simba, where he has been hosting Kadongokamu Classics and Gavamukulya programmes.
Ndawula is married to Aisha and they are blessed with two children.
Are you going to drop your radio programmes to concentrate on parliamentary duties? "No. At Radio Simba, I host programmes, but in Parliament, I perform another role. I have what it takes to undertake both roles without compromising any," he said.
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