Kagiri moves to defy disability

Mar 03, 2018

“Persons with disability can reach their full potential in life and reach their goals as long as they believe in themselves,” Isa Kagiri says.

PIC: Isa Kagiri at Vision Group's offices. He is determined to inspire people with disability. (Credit: Vivian Agaba)

INSPIRATION


KAMPALA - He may be blind, but Isa Kagiri is determined to use his music to change the negative perceptions that society has always tagged on disability.

Kagiri in his late 20s and a psychologist by profession says he has so far written two songs, one titled Disability is Not Ability, which contains a message that calls on the public to stop discriminating against people with disability because they are also human beings who can contribute to the development of their nations.

He has also written a song titled gumboots, referring to condoms in which he advises people who cannot abstain or be faithful to their partners to use protection to avoid contracting sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.

Kagiri, a Muslim, says has been singing since childhood, at school, in churches and he has now started getting gigs to sing at events and his music focuses on encouraging persons with disability to accept who they are and move forward. However, his music also touches the core subject of behavioural change.

"I am so passionate about music that I am determined to sing until I become a household name in Uganda. I want to use my music to encourage Ugandans with disability that disability is not inability," Kagiri says

"Persons with disability can reach their full potential in life and reach their goals as long as they believe in themselves," he adds.
 
Kagiri, however, says this determination has sometimes been tested by rejection from some producers, who come up with excuses not to produce his music.

"A few promoters I have met turn me away once they learn that I am blind. They do not even bother listening to my music."

"I have the voice, ideas, message, but sending the message out there is still difficult. I need a music manager to promote and push my music career to the next level," Kagiri adds.

He advises anyone with any form of disability not to wallow in self-pity, but to get up, get out there and chase for what they want in life, adding that no one will hand them anything on a silver platter.
 

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