Veteran Ugandan singer and actress Mariam Ndagire has revealed that money, fan pressure and finding the right promoter played a major role in convincing her to return to music after a 17-year break.
Ndagire last held a concert in 2009, when she performed her hit song Majangwa and announced that she was stepping away from music to concentrate on her film career. Her decision to return has now set the stage for her comeback concert, The Opas of Love.
According to Ndagire, fans repeatedly asked why she had not staged another concert, especially as other artists from her generation began returning to the stage.
She said she eventually set a clear condition for any potential comeback: the promoter had to offer her the amount of money she wanted.
“What pushed me back into music was money. People had started asking me why I wasn’t holding a concert since everyone was having one,” Ndagire said.
The veteran performer explained that her decision was not based on money alone. She also wanted her return to respect her standing as an artist while giving her an opportunity to accomplish what she personally wanted.
“There is the aspect of money, my respect as an artist and also fulfilling what I want,” she added.
Ndagire said several promoters approached her about staging a comeback show, but negotiations did not work out because they could not agree on the concept, ideas or financial terms.
That changed when she connected with Twisted Events.
She said she chose the promoter because the proposal aligned with what she had envisioned for her return.
“I want a full concert not half baked things. I prayed to God to get me the right person who will get me my dream concert that was well deserving of my fans,” Ndagire said.
She added that she believes the partnership is progressing well and expects the concert to deliver the kind of experience she had been waiting for.
The Opas of Love concert is scheduled for December 11 at Kingdom Kampala, where Ndagire plans to revisit her earlier music catalogue.
Rather than simply recreating her old performances, she believes the songs will feel fresh to audiences because of their timeless quality.
For an artist who walked away from music 17 years ago to focus on another side of her creative career, Ndagire’s return is ultimately about getting the comeback on her own terms — with the right promoter, the right financial deal and the full concert experience she says her fans deserve.