Rare Dexta, a deejay, actor, and events is one of the talented creatives under the spotlight in Uganda today. In a brief chat with Mbu, he tells us about his passions, challenges, aspirations, goals, and so much more.
Born and raised in Kampala, Uganda, Rare Dexta, whose real name is JohnMary Womelaka, comes from a musical family. His music preferences are rich in contemporary R&B and Dancehall, which shaped Uganda’s urban music in the early 2000s.
He has been deejaying since high school, something he took on professionally five years ago.
What initially sparked your passion for DJing, acting, and hosting?
My fascination with Deejaying began with a deep love for music and realisation that a DJ acts as the conductor of the room’s energy. There is an electric adrenaline rush in reading the crowd, seamless blending of tracks, and watching strangers connect on the dance floor.
I’m a quiet person, and Deejaying is my ultimate way to communicate without words.
Acting allows me to explore the vast spectrum of human emotion. Stepping into different characters is a profound exercise in empathy. It allows me to tell compelling stories, challenge perspectives, and bring scripts to life.
With Hosting, I love setting the tone, guiding the vibe, and ensuring that everyone feels included, valued, and entertained; therefore, I act as the bridge between the event and the audience.
How do you balance your time and creative energy across these different roles?
I usually build my week around fixed commitments, and I take enough time to rest, which prevents me from burning out. I usually say no to projects or gigs with low financial value to protect my energy.
Can you share a memorable moment from your deejaying career that stands out?
The best moment for me is when I’m reading the crowd and sharing the music journey; the most satisfying moments aren’t always on large stages but rather when I feel the true sense of unity with the audience.
What acting roles have you found most challenging or rewarding, and why?
Portraying living people brings immense pressure. As an actor, you need to have manners, learn speech patterns and micro expressions, thus leaving very little room for error while facing intense public scrutiny. It’s really a challenge.
Knowing my performance resonated, evoked genuine emotion, or changed a viewer’s perspective is the most rewarding thing to me.
What do you enjoy most about being a radio and TV host?
I love the unique ability to connect intimately with my audience, building authentic relationships, community impact, and growth. Every day brings a fresh opportunity to spread good vibes to the people.
Which big brands and on what big stages have you so far worked with/performed?
I’m currently working with Next Media, Next Radio 106.1 FM, and NBS TV. I’m a DJ on Next Radio’s Tranzit show, bringing high-energy mixes at 6 PM, and Next Radio’s Fire Friday, 3- 7 PM.
I’m a show host on Lost Crates on Next Radio every Saturday, 4-8 PM, digging deeper into the crates, playing old-school hip-hop, R&B and timeless oldies. On NBS Tv I’m a DJ on the NBS KatchUp show every Friday at 10 PM.
I have performed at the Noise Nation Festival hosted at the Lugogo Cricket Oval, which was headlined by the Jamaican Dancehall superstar Dexta Daps.
I served as the Big Hits radio mixologist for The Reminisce Rhythm and Brunch 90s/00s R&B party Kampala Edition, courtesy of Social Ghana Experience from Ghana, and also performed at the Soul on Strings edition of Roast and Rhyme held at Jahazi Pier Munyonyo.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
I’ve learnt that this entertainment industry has a short memory of wins, and one to have a long memory depends on how you treat people. I’ve learnt to be kind and genuinely a good person.
What advice would you give to aspiring DJs, actors, or hosts in Uganda?
For any aspiring DJ in Uganda, nightlife is highly competitive, and mastering the software and network at key venues. Actors attend local auditions and leverage social media by posting short-form skits, and hosts study the veterans.
What are your future goals and aspirations in the entertainment industry?
I’m looking at setting up a music studio, a deejaying school, and a music label to raise more talent.
How do you stay connected with your audience across your various platforms?
- X (formerly Twitter) @raredextaug1
- Instagram @raredextaug
- Tiktok @raredextaug
- Facebook @raredextaug
- Youtube @raredextaug
- WhatsApp @raredextaug
- Mixcloud @raredextaug
- AudioMac @raredextaug
- LinkedIn @raredextaug
- Snapchat @raredextaug
The END
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