Ugandan musician Desmond Sekiwu has opened up about his artistic journey, revealing how transitioning from makeshift home recordings to a professional studio environment has transformed both his sound and creative direction.
In an interview, Sekiwu said his early music was produced using a laptop and borrowed microphones—an approach he describes as “raw but limited in growth.”
“Before Hit Tower, I was doing everything from my laptop and whatever mic I could borrow. The sound was raw, but it had a ceiling,” he said. “At Hit Tower Music Production, the first thing that changed was the mixing. My vocals started sitting right in the beat instead of fighting it.”
He noted that working with a professional studio has allowed him to experiment more freely with live instrumentation, harmonies, and richer sound textures, ultimately shifting his focus from simply releasing songs to building a long-term artistic identity.
“I stopped just putting out songs and started building a sound I’m proud to call mine. Now I think about longevity, not just the next drop,” he added.
Sekiwu also explained his signature blend of Luganda and English, describing it as a natural extension of how he communicates in everyday life.
“Luganda is my home language. It’s how I express love, pain, and respect in a way that feels heavy,” he said. “English is how I connect with people outside my environment. When I mix them, I’m not translating—I’m telling the whole truth.”
He emphasized that his goal is emotional connection rather than language barriers, aiming to reach both local audiences in Uganda and international listeners.
“I want someone on a boda in Budaka to feel it the same way someone in the UK does. The message stays the same: real life, real feelings.”
Speaking about his latest release, “Dear Ex,” Sekiwu revealed that the song was inspired by personal reflection and unresolved emotions.
“I found old messages at 2 in the morning and realized I never got closure,” he said. “It’s not a diss track. It’s a letter.”
He described the track as stripped back and emotionally honest, designed to let the lyrics take center stage. He also credited Hit Tower Music Production for refining the sonic quality of the record.
Reflecting on his career, Sekiwu highlighted the challenges faced by independent artists, particularly the pressure of handling multiple roles simultaneously.
“I was the songwriter, engineer, promoter, even doing cover art at midnight. You get stretched thin and the music suffers,” he said.
He noted that moving into a professional studio environment helped him refocus on creativity while leaving technical production to experts.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and high competition, he believes Uganda’s music industry offers strong opportunities for growth.
“Fans here are loyal. When they hear growth, they support it.”
Big ambitions and global vision
Looking ahead, Sekiwu expressed ambition to establish himself locally before expanding internationally.
“I want to own my city first—sold-out shows in Kampala where the crowd knows every word,” he said.
Beyond Uganda, he hopes to take his sound global without compromising its authenticity.
“I want someone in South Africa or Canada to hear Dear Ex and feel something, even if they don’t understand every word. I want Luganda to sit comfortably on global playlists.”
He added that his long-term goal is impact beyond music charts.
“If my music helps someone heal and opens a door for the next Ugandan artist, I’ve done what I came to do.”
