Star: No doubt about it

JULIANA KANYOMOZI, 31, might come across like a diva, a beautiful enchantress who lives in a glasshouse and is unapproachable — in some respects it is true, she is enchanting and a very gifted vocalist, but she is nothing but warm and very down to earth, writes Shirley Genga

When I arrive at the lavish Safari Park Hotel for the interview with the music diva, I’m informed that she is in the gym working out. The atmosphere is relaxed, but there’s a mounting sense of anticipation in the air. It’s the kind of loaded silence that occurs the moment before the curtain rises and the show begins. However, even before I’m done admiring the luxurious ambience in the lounge, Juliana emerges statuesque in her gym wear and I’m struck at how fabulous she still looks. Her face is perfectly made up and her hair is neatly tied back accentuating her high model-like cheekbones. It’ would make for a pretty intimidating entrance, were it not for the genuine, warm smile etched across her face.

Then I move on to break the ice with a question on whether she is a regular at the gym and she points out: “I’d love to go to the gym every day, but my life is too busy. Today I’m lucky to have been able to squeeze in some time for this interview. With Tusker Project Fame, my new album in the offing and the preparation for my first tour in two years approaching, my life is crazy busy,” she explains with a smile.

Whenever Juliana is home, she opts to exercise in the house.

“I do my skips and sit ups. Nothing intense, but simple workouts to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” asserts Juliana.

I realise this is how she has been able to maintain her hourglass silhouette, which has made her the envy of many women and hence rated as one of the hottest celebrity in East Africa.

Her beauty secret is? “I drink a lot of water, watch what I eat and try to do a facial once every month, but the rest, guess I should thank my mother. My mother is fabulous, at age 63 she looks like she is in her 40s.”

But Juliana is not only about beauty and glamour; she is also one of Uganda’s biggest powerhouse vocalists who has risen to fame since she first came into the Ugandan music scene in the late 90s. She released her debut album back in 2005 called Nabikoowa, which was the first ever English R&B album by a Ugandan artiste that propelled her to fame all over East Africa.

Her second album, Kanyimbe was released in 2007 and is in Luganda. The album earned her the prestigious Pam Award in 2008 for best artist of the year. It is the biggest accolade for an artiste in Uganda and she was the first ever female to win the coveted award.

Juliana is currently working on a new album and fans can expect a versatile album from her.

“I’m?currently working on my third album and this time I’ll stick to what works for me, which is more of R&B. The album will also feature everything from pop to raga, says Juliana.

Motherhood

What a lot of people do not know about Juliana is that she is?a dotting mother to nine-year-old, ?Kerron Raphael Kabugo.

“I named my son Kerron because I just loved the name; it has no deeper meaning or anything. I gave him Raphael as the second name, having named him after the legendary musician Raphael Sadiq and Kabugo after his grandfather. Having my son?is one of the best things that ever happened to my life,” says Juliana with a smile.

When she is mellowing the hearts of her fans with her sweet voice, or in her crazy schedule, which in the past several months has involved crisscrossing between Kampala and Nairobi, Juliana believes that being a working mother is all about finding balance.

“Raphael is my first priority and then everything else fall into place. During school days, I’m the one who wakes him up and prepares him for school. We treasure having breakfast together and I personally drive him and collect him from school in the evenings without fail.”

According to Juliana she is busiest on weekends when most corporate or wedding events happen.

When I ask her how she balances being a mother, musician and entrepreneur she answers: “My life gets very crazy sometimes, but once you have been in the entertainment industry for a while, you learn how to balance. Now that I’m in Tusker Project Fame, I fly to Kenya over the weekends and thus?I make sure I spend?as much time with?Raphael as I?can.”

While she is away, her?mum, baby sister and brother help her a lot with Raphael.

She reveals that although?she is no longer in a relationship with Raphael’s father, she has managed to maintain a?good relationship with him and as a result, ?Raphael gets to spend?time with his dad.

“When I hang out with Raphael I take him out to swim or to his favourite places, but when he is with his dad, he gets to do more?boy stuff, so he is well-balanced,” says Juliana.

Childhood

Juliana was born in Kampala, back in 1981 growing up in a middle class family of six — four girls and two boys. She was baby of the house for eight years before her youngest sister was born.

Growing up, she wanted to be an airhostess because they looked so glamorous and beautiful. However, later on in life, she fell in love with music.

“I was very close to my father and he is the one who introduced me to music. I loved to listen to the likes of: Madonna, Yvonne Chaka Chaka and Black Box. My dad passed on in 1999 and what I remember most about him was his love for music. I think I get it from him,” she says with a smile.

Juliana sang in front of a crowd for the first time while in high school and the applause she received made her realise she had a special gift. And after finishing high school in 2002 she went straight into music and has never looked back.

The price of fame

They say that every good thing comes with a price and for Juliana her fame and career?have come with a price; her privacy.

“Showbiz is serious business in Uganda. We have paparazzi that follow you everywhere. Everyone wants to know where you hangout, who you hang out with, where you shop and even what you eat. It is so crazy and it can be overwhelming sometimes. I wish I could dress anyhow and leave the house without make up, but it is not possible. I wish I could enjoy myself with my son anywhere, but I cannot,” explains Juliana.

In order to deal with the paparazzi, Juliana spends her time in places where her privacy is guaranteed. When it comes to Raphael’s privacy Juliana is particularly very protective.

“I do not think he is ready to handle the paparazzi. He is too young to deal with everything that comes with fame. I want to protect his innocence for as long as I can. I?? try my best to protect him from the cameras, so whenever we go out with him, it has to be to places where cameras will not be flashing,” she says.

Love life

Juliana is currently in?a relationship.

“I try to be very careful about who I introduce my son to especially since I’m a single mum. I’m currently dating someone I have been with for a while, that is all you will get out of me,” explains Juliana laughing.

On her free time, Juliana loves to read books, watch movies and to hangout with her friends.

“I’m a home body, so you will often find me at home, but when I hang out with friends I love to go to quiet and intimate places. I avoid loud and happening places,” states Juliana.

Her closing words: “It is important as a mother to make time for your children.

Women today have an independent lifestyle, most are working too hard and forget they have a child. Children are a blessing and with us for a season, so make the best of the time you have with them.”