Shakira Shakiraa has finally explained why fans have seen so little of her on Uganda’s music scene in recent months, revealing that business has become her biggest priority.
Speaking on Tawfiq Media, the “Nze Mpako” singer disclosed that she now spends much of her time running a clothing business in downtown Kampala, a venture that gradually pulled her away from music.
Becoming a businesswoman, however, was never part of her original plan.
My manager pushed me into the clothing business. I was not interested at first, but he felt I was wasting a lot of money.
Shakiraa revealed that her manager later took her to China, a trip that completely changed the way she viewed the fashion industry.
Seeing the scale of the business convinced her that investing in clothing offered an opportunity she could not ignore.
The singer said she eventually invested more than $70,000 (about UGX 200 million) to establish her boutique, although she believes aspiring entrepreneurs do not need such a large amount to get started.
When you go to China, you find so many quality products, and if you want to sell the best back home, you end up spending more than you planned.
While the investment exceeded her original budget, Shakiraa says quality has always come first.
She encouraged anyone interested in business to start with whatever they can afford, noting that even an investment of $2,000 (about UGX 7 million) to $5,000 (about UGX 18 million) can grow into a successful enterprise with patience and consistency.
For Shakiraa, the decision to venture into business has reshaped her career and daily life.
While fans continue to wait for more music, she has found a new passion behind the counter of her boutique, where entrepreneurship now takes centre stage.