'My wife was my childhood friend'

Nov 06, 2013

DANIEL Kazibwe Kyeyune, aka Ragga Dee, a celebrated musician and his wife, Mariam Kazibwe, grew up in the same neighbourhood. Many years later, their affection evolved into a love affair

DANIEL Kazibwe Kyeyune, aka Ragga Dee, a celebrated musician and his wife, Mariam Kazibwe, grew up in the same neighbourhood. Many years later, their affection evolved into a love affair. They shared their story with SAMUEL LUTWAMA.

I married my childhood friend, is what Ragga Dee said when asked to describe his wife. From the way their love life evolved, it seems his assertion held water.

Love with the neighbour’s daughter

Growing up in the same neighbourhood, they kept bumping into each other. Once in a while, Ragga Dee would steal glances at the neighbour’s daughter, who lived a stone’s throw from his parents’ nest in Najjanankumbi, a Kampala suburb. 

The two soon became friends, but there was nothing suggesting that their friendship would become what it is today.

Evolution of their love affair

“As years went by, my affection for Mariam grew and I realised she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with,” Ragga Dee recalls.

When he joined Makerere University Business School in Nakawa, he realised the need to settle down. And it so happened that Mariam was the only person, who could fill the void in the young man’s heart. At the time, she was in her Senior Six vacation and was not in a relationship.

“I told her that since we had known each other from childhood and that our not forge ahead as he recalls.

By the time Mariam finished her university education, the two lovebirds had reached a point of no return. The couple is blessed with four children; two boys and two girls and their firstborn will soon join university.

Mariam, the committed wife, mother

Ragga Dee is all praises for his wife, especially for her role in raising the children.

“Sometimes I spend days away from home on musical assignments, but my wife is able to shoulder the responsibility of looking after our children single-handedly. Amidst her responsibilities, she also creates time for me whenever I am home,” Ragga Dee says.

The couple’s personalities complement each other.

Born in 1973, Ragga Dee had a naughty character, which is reflected in his music and the person he is today. Mariam, on the other hand, was born years later and was endowed with a laid-back personality. Despite marrying a celebrity, she prefers to keep a low profile, away from public life.

“My wife is media shy,” he warns, when I sought an interview with her. Nonetheless, she opened up, with the warning that I should stick to the context of the interview.

In the footsteps of his parents

Like the adage goes, the apple never falls far from the tree, Ragga Dee says his marriage is more of a replica of that of his parents, which has stood the test of time. 

“My parents have been happily married for 40 years. They taught us the virtues of love and respect,” he says.

According to Ragga Dee, his parents’ love for each other is not pretentious and that is a cherished legacy which they have passed on to all their children. As a result, divorce or separation are unheard of in their family. 

“My parents set the standard of what a perfect family should be. I have grown up under the counsel of both my parents,” he adds.

Drawing from the experience of their parents, the couple has, over the years, managed to build a strong relationship on a firm foundation of trust, commitment and love.

“We trust each other, and for that reason, my wife cannot be swayed by any rumours,” says Ragga Dee.

Dotting father

Ragga Dee says he bonds with his children whenever he can. 

“Dropping them at their respective schools in the morning is not a matter of debate, unless I am out of the country or I am too tired after working late in the night.”

He says he wants to raise well-behaved children like his parents did.

Wedding bells

After cohabiting for years, the couple decided to formalise their marriage. In 2008, they tied the knot at Namirembe Cathedral and later hosted their guests at Serena Hotel.

Ragga Dee is believed to have set the precedent for many celebrity weddings that followed shortly after. Speaking about his wedding, his face is radiant with joy.

Shortly after the couple’s wedding, Joseph Mayanja, aka Chameleone, held his and many other artistes followed suit.

“I wanted to show the public that musicians, too, can have a glamorous wedding as well as a stable marriage,” he boasts.

According to Ragga Dee, the wedding, which was attended by over 1,600 people, cost about sh600m and was mainly financed from his personal savings and contributions from friends.

“The wedding befitted my wife. Every penny that I spent on the wedding was worth it,” he says with a grin.

The couple’s secret weapon

Unlike other celebrities, Ragga Dee and Mariam have been able to keep their relationship away from the preying eyes of the media.

“We have had our share of problems, but we keep our dirty linen under wraps. Perhaps that is why our marriage has not been tainted with scandals as is the case with other celebrities,” he says.

Simple as it sounds, the word sorry, according to Ragga Dee, has been the antidote that has diffused all tensions in their marriage.

He says marriage thrives on laid down principles and how the couple sticks to them. 

“People have issues in their marriages, but what makes a difference is the approach used in ironing out those issues. Whereas some prefer to wash their dirty linen in public, others choose not to,” he says.

According to Ragga Dee, whenever they get misunderstandings, they sit down as husband and wife, address the issues and rekindle their love.

Advice to celebrities

Ragga Dee blames the media for being a hindering block to the success of celebrity marriages.

“A scandalous story, to a wife who is not understanding, can damage the already strained relationship, yet the allegations may not be true.”

He warns celebrities against riding on the wings of the media while building their relationships.

“The more you put your wife on public display for approval, the more she will be disproved by the uncompromising public,” he warns.

He urges artistes to emulate high profile people who have beautiful wives, but do not make them the centre of public display.

“They know that their wives are married to them, not the public. Why do you talk about the beauty of your wife as if she is married to the whole world?” he asks.

Falling in love with music

Ragga Dee’s love for music dates back to his childhood years. He says his music career was nurtured in the church choir, of which he was a member.

In the 1990s, he stormed the music arena with Bamusakata, one of his early compositions, which propelled him to stardom. He went on to become a household name. Having found a niche in the music industry, Ragga Dee believes that singing is his calling.

“The moment I discovered that I was a good singer, I decided to bring out the best in me and this has worked,” he says.

Ragga Dee decries today’s musicians who ride on others to become stars.

“Some local artistes have weaved their way to celebrity status through singing about their personal feuds. The industry cannot be built on fights,” he warns.

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