Ugandan musician and songwriter Pawaboy AB has revealed that he was the songwriter behind Kataleya and Kandle’s hit song “Ngenderera,” which he originally wrote with Winnie Nwagi in mind.
Speaking during an interview on Galaxy FM, Pawaboy explained that his approach to songwriting does not end when he hands a song over to another artist. He prefers to remain involved in the recording process so he can guide the artist through his intended delivery.
“Of course as a writer, I have to be around to give you directions on how to do things,” Pawaboy said.
According to the singer, staying in the studio allows him to explain how particular lyrics and sections should be delivered, helping ensure the finished recording reflects the vision he had when writing the song.
That hands-on approach also means Pawaboy is less concerned about a song failing to meet his expectations after being handed to another artist. He explained that because he is usually present during the recording, he can guide the performer through the song rather than simply waiting to hear the final version.
But his biggest revelation came when he discussed “Ngenderera.”
Pawaboy said he was initially instructed to write the song for Winnie Nwagi. Somehow, however, the song eventually found its way to Kataleya and Kandle.
“They told me to write a song for Winnie Nwagi. I don’t know how it ended up being sung by Kataleya and Kandle,” he said.
The revelation adds another layer to a song that became associated with Kataleya and Kandle, while Pawaboy was still developing his own profile as a recording artist.
Despite watching the song gain popularity before his own breakthrough, Pawaboy said he did not view its success negatively. Instead, he appeared to regard the experience as part of his development as both a songwriter and performer.
For Pawaboy, the story of “Ngenderera” also highlights the unpredictable journey a song can take once it leaves the songwriter’s hands — sometimes ending up with an entirely different artist than originally planned.