'I will marry when I get money'

Mark Mubiru aka Mark Ryans is a reggae musician in the Blood Brothers Band. Carol Kasujja asked him about music and love.

Ryan, do you have to wear dreadlocks to be a rasta?true

No, but this is how I want my hair to be. But there is also biblical justification for the style. Numbers 6:5 commands: “During the entire time of his dedication, he is not to allow a razor to pass over his head until the days of his holy consecration to the Lord have been fulfilled. He is to let the locks on his head grow long.”

Can you be called a rasta without smoking?

I am a well-groomed rasta man. I am against the use of drugs, that is why I have never smoked. Even if you check my lungs, they are very clean. To me, if it is time to perform, I do not need to use anything, my energy just goes up. I do not need drugs because I sing inspirational songs.

When was the last time you talked to your second girlfriend?

Who has told you that I have another woman? I have only one woman. I do not cheat because I do not have time. I am always busy coming up with lyrics. I am very old, yet I have so many things to do. So I do not want another problem.

I always see you with your girlfriend. When are you getting married?

I have not yet gone to church but deep down in my heart I am happily married. I seriously want to formalise things because I am a family man but I do not have enough money and I do not want to disturb people with wedding meetings. When I get money, I will formalise the relationship.

Why are you dating her yet you are broke?

She understands and she loves me. True love is not about money. If a woman loves you, even if she goes hungry for a week, she will always be there for you. I have been with her for seven years.

Why do you think artistes these days are composing vulgar songs?

That is what the media and people want. I have realised that young musicians want to make money so fast. That is why they come up with all sorts of vulgar songs. Secondly, people who have good songs are there, but media houses do not play our songs because they do not sell. I wish those musicians knew that vulgar music is cheap and it does not last for long.’

Share with us your experience of rising to stardom.

It has not been easy. For your music to be played on any radio or TV station, you have to pay presenters. If you do not have money, no one can give you an audience. In the end, you will not be known.

You have to get a manager to fight all those battles for you. I failed to get money, so I took my music abroad because they prefer quality.