Who is Mariam Ndagire? Flash Uganda Media looks at her biography, age, husband, family, tribe, achievements, and relationship with Sarah Nabbutto, Prince Kizito Ssegamwenge, John Segawa, Trevor, Black Pearls, Kato Lubwama, Ashraf Ssemwogerere, Sarah Kisauzi Sentongo, Usama Mukwaya and the early life and education of a Ugandan singer, writer, performer, actress, dramatist, filmmaker, and producer.
Mariam Ndagire is a Ugandan singer, writer, performer, actor, dramatist, filmmaker, and producer.
Early Life and Education
Mariam Ndagire was born in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city, on May 16, 1971, to Sarah Nabbutto and Buganda’s Prince Kizito Ssegamwenge.
She began her studies at Buganda Road Primary School before going to Kampala High School, where she completed her O-levels.
She attended Trinity College Nabbingo in Wakiso District for her A-Level studies and claimed an Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education.
She went on to earn a Higher Diploma in Marketing from Nakawa’s Makerere University Business School.
She later received a Diploma in Music, Dance, and Drama from Makerere University.
Mariam Ndagire is the mother to John Segawa’s son, Trevor. After a few years of dating, Ndagire and Ssegawa married. Ssegawa, on the other hand, was a top city casanova at the time, and their marriage did not last long.
Career and Professional Work Experience
Ndagire began her career as a stage actor at the age of 15, while still a student at Kampala High School.
In 1987, she joined the Black Pearls of Omugave Ndugwa, where she appeared in various plays till 1993. She co-wrote her first play, “Engabo Y’addako,” alongside Ashraf Ssemwogerere while there.
Her favourite theatre act is the 1994 drama Akafubutuko, where Ndagire played Mrs White.
After splitting from Black Pearls, Ndagire, Kato Lubwama, and Ashraf Ssemwogerere founded their own group, the Diamonds’ Ensemble, and wrote several plays.
She created The Next Ugandan Music, an American Idol-style show, to help young talent find their way into the performing arts.
Mariam Ndagire started a new filmmaker training course at the Mariam Ndagire Film and Performing Arts Centre MNFPAC, to hold film workshops for filmmakers every year.
Sarah Kisauzi Sentongo, an actor in the NTV Uganda TV series Deception, and scriptwriter Usama Mukwaya are among the famous participants in the workshops.
Achievements and Awards
Ndagire was named to the JURY of the AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS (AMVCA) in 2015.
Ndagire was chosen to the GOLDEN MOVIE AWARDS AFRICA Grand Jury Committee in 2019.
She also received awards from the Pearl International Film Festival for BA-AUNT (2017) and My Husband’s Wife (2021).
She also received the ‘Best Screenplay’ award for the ‘My Husband’s Wife’ film at the iKon Awards.
Mariam Ndagire was nominated for several awards in the different categories of the movies she acted in.
She was nominated for the Best Cinematography by Uganda Film Festival Award based on the WHERE WE BELONG movie.
In 2017, she was also nominated for Best Actress during the Pearl International Film Festival because of the NSAALI in which she acted as “Dinah Akwenyi”.
NSAALI was nominated for Best Indigenous Language Film, Best Sound Screenplay and Best Director by Pearl International Film Festival.
BA-AUNT (2018) was nominated as the Best TV Drama by Zanzibar International Film Festival.
Albums
- MAJANGWA · 2009
- MAAMA · 2007
- ANSISIITIRA · 2005
- The Greatest Hits, Vol. 1 · 2003
- Abakazi Twalaba · 2003
- Akulimbalimba · 2003
- Ansisitila · 2015
- The Best Of Ndagire Mariam, Vol. 1 · 2003
Songs
- Abakazi Twalaba
- Byonna Twala
- Kiki Onvuma
- Bakikakase
- Ansisiitira
- Maama
- Majangwa
- Mwana Wange
- Nsibidde ku gwe
- Bamugamba
- Akulimbalimba
- Mukwano Beera Nange
- Simusango
- Omukwano
- Akaweta
- Kamuwaane
- Kiriza
- Nsula Bubi
- Nalinda
- Tomutulugunya
- Olukudumu
- Bwekiriba Kityo
- Best Wangu
- Maria Waabwe
- Essanyu Lyange
- Kankole
- Ayi Mukama
- Tata ne mama
- Furaha
- Mastercard
- Valentine
- Endongo
- Katukyakale
- Mupezi Wangu
- Sejjusa
- Wefuge
- Tweyinza
- Mukwano beera nange
- Byona Twala
- Bamugamba
- Birthday
- Kamuwaane
- Ekiwangangula Omutima
- Byonkoledde Mukama
- Tudde Eri Abaana Ft Bella
- Baby Nakutaka
- Byona-Twala
- Ndeka tonvuma
- Bajja Kakasa
- Valentine
- Nalonda Ono
- Mukwata Ng’egirasi
- Ono Ye Umbrella
- Nkwagala Lwakuba onjagala
- Bamulete
- Nsibidde Ku Gwe
- Omuzadde
- Oly’omu
- Olukudumu
Movies and Series
Mariam Ndagire has also played acting, writing, producing and directing roles in the following feature films, movies as well as series.
- Down This Road, I Walk (2007)
- Strength of a Stranger (2008)
- Hearts in Pieces (2009)
- Tendo Sisters (2010)
- Where We Belong (2011)
- Dear Mum (2012)
- Anything But Love (2013)
- Belated Trouble (2013)
- You Can’t Break My Will (2013)
- J-Rose (2015)
- Vicky’s Dilemma (2016)
- Intimate Partner Violence (2016)
- Nsaali (2017)
- BA-AUNT (2017)
- KAALA (2017)
- OUR PERFECT WEDDING UGANDA (2019)
- On The Otherside (2020)
- My Husband’s Wife (2021)
Kafa Coh (2022)
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