Tempra Omo

“NEN AWENE, GULU, WA ILWA”- TEMPRA OMONA’S MUSIC IS DEEP! 

On Wednesday, September 8, 2021, Tempra Omona shared a post on his Facebook account, “It’s exactly one year. On this date at this time last year, my neighborhood, my friends and above all God saved me …. I’m grateful to all …All will be ok eventually….It’s not easy to forget but I will look more on the positive side. I was spared and I am here posting, means what? I am alive ……Cheers friends.”  The post is a reflection about having survived death in a nasty accident by the grace of God.

Tempra Omona came to the limelight in the early 2000’s for his song titled Nen Awene. Uganda’s music industry was just starting to become appreciated locally and in the region. Tempra Omoma belongs to the group of musicians who pioneered a revolution in the Uganda music industry. They include; Joseph Mayanja aka Jose Chameleone, Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool, Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine, Danie Kigozi aka Navio,  Lubega Tony aka Red Banton, Amos Kigenyi aka Mega Dee, Juliana Kanyomozi,  Iryn Namubiru, etc. They became instant celebrities. Local music started getting airplay on FM radios, televisions and surpassed Congolese music in popularity. For a long time Congolese and South African music dominated discos and entertainment in Uganda. These new crop of artistes became movers and shakers of the local music industry. Tempra credits among others, places like Sabrina’s pub, DV8, The National Theatre as venues where they developed and perfected their art and talents. At the time the popularity of artistes were driven by stage performances at corporate events and music shows and promotions by mostly telecom companies and the popular beer brands. “We worked really hard then. One had to get a good music producer and have your songs played on several radio stations as a way of promoting them. There were not as many platforms for music promotion, streaming like what we have today. The hustle was real”, adds Tempra.

While studying at Bishop Angelo Negri Primary School in Gulu, Tempra Omona was very active in the school choir, acted in drama, and took part in inter-schools music competitions too. He was the school choir conductor and credits the school headmistress, Sr. Aurelia Poma (RIP) for encouraging him.

Tempra played the adungu instrument and drums as well. In a national drama competition to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS, Tempra mimed Philly Bongoley Lutaaya’s song; Alone and Frightened. He staged an exceptional performance.  Subsequently Tempra joined St. Joseph’s College Ombaci in Arua district and he was elected Assistant Entertainment Prefect in line with his interests and passion. This responsibility partly impacted on his decision to choose a career in music. When Tempra joined Namasagali College for HSC, he met like-minded music and entertainment enthusiasts that made his music passion blossom. He met like-minded students; Iryn Namubiru, Juliana Kanyomozi, Ronnie Mulindwa, Denis Mugagga and Dan Sewaggude(The Ganda Boys) with whom they performed in the school Music, Dance and Drama(MDD). It is said that birds of the same feathers flock together. This group of students became famous in their music careers after completing their studies at Namasagali College. It is partly because of the grooming and development of their talents that the school provided.

Tempra’s musical journey which he says is not just an event can be traced to the then popular Kids of Nature entertainment group in Gulu which he formed with renowned DJ Juma Jamie as well as the 3Gs music group in Luzira. During his S.4 vacation, he was actively involved with these youth entertainment groups. Having holidays in both Kampala and Gulu gave him the advantage of observing entertainment trends in both the capital city and the countryside. While starting out in mainstream entertainment, and the music industry, Tempra mimed songs in English, and most were Rhythm and Blues (R&B). He related mostly with R. Kelly, and mimed most of his songs because some of Tempra’s ardent fans intimated about his resemblance to the international R&B star. After getting publicity in the media, Tempra felt the urge to sing in his native Luo (Acholi) language. After all Chameleon’s Mama mia song in Swahili was embraced very well by Ugandans who had little knowledge of Swahili. Bebe Cool’s Fitina also became a big hit. Tempra then decided to transition from miming songs mostly in English to singing in Acholi, being proud of his identity. The market dynamics for his new music genre was tricky since Kampala is dominated by Luganda speakers. He knew it would be difficult for people from outside Northern Uganda to embrace his songs because of language barrier. However, Tempra used his musical gift to bring out the unique nature of Acholi songs in ways that people connected with regardless of language barrier. Initially he launched Lakala Twe and then Nen Awene which caused frenzy nationwide. “When DJ Alex Ndawula of Capital FM listened to Nen Awene during my initial attempt to promote it, his face lit up and he told me that I had a hit already.”, said Tempra while throwing more light about the song that catapulted him to fame. He has released many songs since then including GULU, Amari, Karama and most recently Oplai and Tei Tei makawani. Tempra thinks Bosmic Joyce Otim and Kuchi Classic are artistes from Northern Uganda who are making a great contribution and impact in the region. Although the music industry now pays much more than when it was during its infancy, Tempra says music is about the passion, entertaining and in some instances raising awareness on particular issues, but not just making money. “Persistence beats resistance, nurture your interests into careers or else you will lose focus.”, is Tempra’s advice to his fans, friends, and old schoolmates.

First published in LEADERSHIP MAGAZINE