One of Uganda’s most memorable songs almost had a different voice.
Veteran music producer Paddy Man has revealed that Iryn Namubiru’s hit song “Begombeko” was originally written and produced with socialite and businesswoman Zari Hassan in mind before it eventually became one of Iryn’s signature tracks.
Speaking on the Shalom 256 Podcast, Paddy Man shared the behind-the-scenes story of how the song moved from Zari’s planned music catalog to Iryn Namubiru’s hands.
According to the producer, songwriter Nince Henry wrote the song during the period when Zari was exploring a career in music, but the recording process did not produce the result he wanted.
The decision to bring in Iryn ultimately changed the song’s direction.
Paddy Man explained that “Begombeko” was initially part of his efforts to create music for Zari Hassan, who was briefly pursuing a career as a recording artist.
At the time, the producer had already worked on several songs with Zari and hoped the track would become another addition to her music journey.
However, when they attempted to record the song, he felt something was missing.
“Since now many years have gone by, I can talk about it. Begombeko was written for Zari initially,” Paddy Man said.
He explained that although the song had strong potential, the recording process did not come together as expected.
“I had done some songs for her and when I tried to make her sing it, things didn’t click because I’m a purist, except now I understand music in a broader way,” he added.
The producer said his approach has always been focused on creating the strongest possible record rather than simply completing a song.
He noted that while some artists use music as personal expression or therapy, his priority has been finding the right combination of songwriting, production, and vocals.
After evaluating the track, Paddy Man decided it needed a vocalist who could deliver the emotional depth and technical strength he envisioned.
“I told Nince Henry the song was good and it needed a better voice because Zari is good at many things, but she isn’t a singer,” he explained.
He then suggested Iryn Namubiru for the song.
“I listened to the song and it was big for Zari, so I suggested Iryn, and she did justice to it,” Paddy Man said.
The change proved significant, with Iryn’s version becoming the recording that audiences came to know.
Iryn Namubiru is regarded as one of Uganda’s most respected female vocalists, known for her emotional delivery and a catalogue of popular songs.
Her version of “Begombeko” became a major success and remains one of the tracks associated with her career.
Zari Hassan, meanwhile, explored music earlier in her career before becoming widely recognized for her business ventures, public profile, and reality television appearances.
Songwriter Nince Henry has also been behind several notable Ugandan songs, contributing to the country’s contemporary music scene.
The story behind “Begombeko” highlights how songs can evolve during the creative process, sometimes finding success through unexpected collaborations
Music fans are often fascinated by the stories behind hit songs, especially when a track nearly had a completely different artist attached to it.
Paddy Man’s revelation offers a glimpse into the decisions producers and songwriters make when choosing the right performer for a particular record.
It also highlights how vocal ability, style, and artistic fit can determine whether a song reaches its full potential.
Behind every popular song is usually a series of decisions, changes, and moments that audiences never see.
For “Begombeko,” the journey from an idea for Zari Hassan to a defining song for Iryn Namubiru shows how unpredictable creativity can be.
Years later, the story remains a reminder that the right voice can completely transform a record.
“Begombeko” became an Iryn Namubiru classic, but Paddy Man’s revelation shows that the song’s original path looked very different. The question now is whether fans can imagine the hit with another voice behind it.