Uganda’s Rising Star Elijah Kitaka Talks About His Massive Hit, "Dawa,” and Breaking the Mold

However, Kitaka's rise to stardom hasn't come without its challenges. Once content being in the background — albeit as one of Uganda's best drummers — he had to step out from behind his drum set to face the disappointment of his parents as a pastor’s kid turned performer.

For Kitaka, that journey’s been essential in order to find his creative voice — whether it’s through music, drums, or fashion.

“I feel freedom in my music," Kitaka tells OkayAfrica. “I believe it's important to make music for yourself first, then share it with the world. That connection with your art is what resonates with listeners.”

Below, in an interview with OkayAfrica, Kitaka reflects on his musical journey and evolution from a shy drummer to a confident frontman, his upbringing in a musical family and his transition from church performances to the music industry.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

OkayAfrica: Congratulations on “Dawa,” which is a huge hit in Uganda. How did the song come about?

Elijah Kitaka: Thank you so much! ‘Dawa,’ which means ‘medicine,’ was produced with Daddy Andre, one of Uganda’s top songwriters and artists. The song represents that one thing in your life you can’t live without, whether it’s a person, or a place, or even a phone... When we finished recording it, we knew it would be special. And now, I can only be grateful for how well it's been received.

It's a wonderful time for music and a significant step up in my career having put in all the effort. As a musician, having a larger audience recognize your work feels like a step up. I'm so grateful for the journey and the reception [of the song].

Were you always a musical child?

How did you transition from drumming to singing?

Drumming was always my comfort zone but I also loved singing, even though I was shy about it. I was writing music and decided to [record some of it] in the studio. I released my first album on March 30, 2020 — my birthday — just as the pandemic was starting. I didn’t know how to release and distribute music, but surprisingly I got a few views from people. I was happy and my bandmates were surprised about my vision, they couldn’t believe I could sing.

Did growing up in a church environment influence your musical development?

Definitely. [Outside of my family], I was around other musicians, like my dad's friends or my mom's friends. Since It was in church, there was praise and worship and it was a wonderful kind of feeling at that time. In Uganda, church was like a music school before there were actual music schools. People had abilities, but where could they develop them? The church provided exposure to instruments, harmonies and singing. Many musicians here, including myself, started in church because it was the only place to nurture those talents. It helped me develop myself, humbly, and I took my time.

What lessons did you learn from being a drummer and supporting other artists that you took to singing?

Watching artists prepare for the stage, handle fans, and navigate their challenges taught me a lot. All of them were lessons. I directed a lot of the shows I played in. Having that opportunity and having artists believe in me made me feel good. They could hear my voice, and the artists believed in my musical vision. All these experiences gave me the courage to eventually step into the spotlight.

It’s a connection of art. Each skill helps the other. The skills I gained as a drummer and producer have improved everything I do now. All the arts support each other. Drumming influences my beats as a producer, and my overall experience with live music helps me lead a band as a singer. It’s fun and I’m still learning.

You appear to be a fashion risk taker….

Fashion is like freedom to me. Growing up in a church environment and traditional culture where music could be seen as a bad influence, I had to find my way to express myself. I was seen as a spoiled child. I remember telling my parents I wanted to be a tailor. That was never going to be possible. That’s how I came to study software engineering. But you either choose to be a slave or you choose to be free… and not in a bad way. Our parents are always for us. Sometimes they want us to be a certain way, yet God has made another way for us. God made a way for me with music, which forced me to face my parents.

Are your parents accepting of what you've chosen to do career-wise?

My father is a pastor. He has come to understand it, but in the beginning it was a battle. I had to ignore my parents for quite some time just to do everything. I had to really isolate myself away from them. I could talk to them, but they couldn't see me because I didn’t want to be in their space to hurt them. I understand them, but I also want to fight for what I want to be.

What's next after “Dawa”?