Ugandan artist Sarah Ndagire: Exporting talents to UK

Can you talk about your background and how you got started in music?
I don’t come from a very musical family and was only acting throughout my primary and secondary school levels. It was during my A level vacation that I joined sharing youth band at the insistence of one of the band members who had heard me sing casually. I gave it a try and since then, I have never stopped. I have been performing with different Ugandan bands like Light rays, Big five, Percussion discussion Africa, Afrigo band etc I have recorded and released several music albums and videos which are doing well on youtube, itunes, cdbabyetc
What are the challenges you’ve encountered in developing your career?
Uhuuu several to mention but a few lack of performance opportunities, very limited funds which are essential for any musician coming up so as to be able to rehearse, perform and record, lack of or limited support especially from government etc but these are usually most musician’s challenges in the whole world.
What does an Exceptional Talent Visa to work in the UK mean to you?
I have been actively touring internationally, in Europe especially, for the past five years. It was not so easy to get booked as it is hard for most bookers in Europe or USA to get musicians from as far as Africa because of things like the costs involved and visa issues. Having been granted the exceptionally talented visa which allows me to live and work in UK means that am now at the center of or closer to many artistic opportunities like performances, workshops, etc. It is now easier for a festival say in Germany to book me because I can even just get on the bus and get there.
How many years does the ETV last?
The ETV allows me to live and work in the UK for an initial 3 years and 4 months then I can extend it for a further 2 years after which I can apply to stay indefinitely.
What tips would you offer to aspiring musicians hoping to follow in your footsteps and planning to apply for an Exceptional Talent Visa?
The history of music is a dialogue between generations of artists. Up and coming musicians need to be very knowledgeable about music: learn about great singers from the past and present and try to borrow a leaf or two from their game, it might be the answer to your success. The game has changed and it is no longer about talent only, a musician needs to have an X factor. Networking, self-marketing and investment, preparedness, persistence, research and practice will all compliment talent to take you places. I have done all the above and when I applied for ETV it was easy for me to get.

Through my network, I had been able to get involved in international projects like European tour, concerts and events. I have my music selling online ( itunes, cd baby, etc), my videos were streaming on youtube and people from different parts of the world were watching it and leaving very positive feedback, so all these helped me to demonstrate my involvement in producing work of international and exceptional quality. If you are a musician wishing to come to the UK under the ETV, then trying out some of the above like I did might be of help.
What inspires you?
My roots, my source is what I always say so Uganda and Ugandans inspire me a lot. I have learnt a lot from the traditional singers and their melodies. I have heard and watched many beautiful stories unfold before my eyes in Uganda which I retell in song.
What are your plans for the future – in relation to developing your reputation on the international stage.
I have just come back from Uganda after recording an album which I hope to release and start promoting through performances very soon. So my plans for the future still remain performing and performing wherever I get a chance to sing my people’s stories. Music videos will also follow soon.
Has Ugandan music got a place on the international market? What makes Ugandan music so unique?
The music scene very much alive in Uganda and today there are many musicians traveling outside Uganda to perform.. Artists like Kinobe Herbert, MorisKirya, Tshila, Rachael Magola and groups like Watoto children’s choir, soul beat Africa, Ndere troupe have successfully performed before many international audiences. Others have gone on to release albums on international labels. This already means that Ugandan music has a place on the international market.