Interview: My marriage is built on trust - Navio

NAVIO|FAMILY LIFE|ENTERTAINMENT

Ugandans have for a long time believed that Navio grew up in a lavish life, devoid of hardships. Is that so?

I grew up like any other ordinary Ugandan child. Growing up, I think I had a bit of both characters - the reserved humble boy and the naughty one, who enjoyed imitating people and singing random songs. As I grew older, I developed love for sport, basketball to be specific. But I was also a fan of swimming and cricket. Life was ordinary, not as lavish as many think.

Ugandans have also informally crowned you Uganda's most handsome man, a crown you have held for donkey's years, and only rivalled by Maurice Kirya. What is your take on this?

I do not think I am as handsome as most Ugandan women have labelled me. I think it has mostly been the talent and branding that has blinded the eyes of many. I have traversed the world, coming into contact with many handsome people, who are not even celebrities. Anyway, I have been in the limelight since the age of 15, so I have always expected such comments from fans.

How did you meet Matilda?

I met her through her uncle after a show I had performed at. I was supposed to meet her uncle, and as luck had it, she was there as well. I was excited about meeting her and hoped that I would see her again. We talked for a short while and unfortunately, she had to go back to Sweden, where she lived then. However, she returned to the country 10 years later and we rekindled our relationship.

The wedding was held in Sweden, and this raised many negative reactions in Uganda. Why Sweden?

We had done the kukyala and introduction ceremonies in Uganda, attracting over 1,000 guests. When it came to the wedding, we thought it was prudent to take the ceremony to Sweden because my wife grew up there and she has her family there. But we were planning a Ugandan edition of the wedding before COVID-19 struck.

It is one year since all this happened. How did you celebrate your fi rst marriage anniversary?

Just the two of us took a weekend off in Entebbe in a luxurious hotel, where we enjoyed ourselves, basking in the sun and recollecting memories of where our relationship has come from. It was a very nice time for us.

You are not taken to be a confrontational man, but there is this one time you confronted an askari (security guard) who bullied your wife. What was that about?

I wouldn't want to go back to that incident, but all I can say for now is that, as a man, a husband, you always have to stand up for your wife. No one else will.

Talk to me about your decision to get married amidst a busy career. How has it impacted your career?

It is great to know what you are working towards and to have people rooted into your priorities. I also never used to have an off switch. I never ever stopped moving for this music and having family has taught me when to do that.

You are undoubtedly a very busy musician. How do you spend time with your wife and children?

We like touring cities in various countries, and before COVID-19, we used to do this quite a lot. However, we also do picnics and relaxation at the beach and gardens, and sometimes, we just spend time with each other at home.

How have you managed to draw a line between your celebrity status and private life?

As an artiste, you need to, first of all create a solid foundation for your personal life, marriage and family. Your wife, for example, has to be your friend and confi dant such that the controversies that come with being a star do not break her, and eventually your marriage. Personally, my marriage has been built our trust.

Speaking about controversies, you recently came under for allegedly snubbing Nwagi's attempt to dance with you. But what really happened?

I was at a fundraising event somewhere, and Nwagi was there as well. After the event, Nwagi and I stayed just hanging around as the music played in the background. Then, a group of photographers asked Nwagi and I to pose for a photo moment as we had fun. Nwagi pulled off a few dance moves as the pictures were taken and after three minutes, I told the photographers that it was enough and I walked away. But someone took a 10-second video and blew it out of proportion, saying that I rejected Nwagi's dance attempt.



How did Matilda take it?

At first, she ignored it, but when it grew bigger on social media, she just laughed so hard about it because she did not expect it to grow that far. My wife and I are big fans of Nwagi, so the incident did not mean a thing to us.