Jonathan Sedrak Kigula is a vocalist with an unusually wide range, a deep connection to gospel and soul, and an ambition to leave behind more than just a remarkable voice. There are voices that you hear and quickly forget. Others demand attention because they sound different from what you expect. Jonathan belongs to the latter category.
A vocalist and recording artist, Jonathan has developed a reputation around his ability to reach remarkably high notes, including registers that many listeners might ordinarily associate with female vocalists. It is a rare ability in Uganda’s music scene, where male voices are often expected to occupy more familiar territory.
But Jonathan is not interested in being reduced to the novelty of hitting high notes. For him, the voice is a gift, a means of expression and, ultimately, a responsibility.
His fans call him “the Diva” or “De Voice”, a reflection of the distinctive vocal identity he has cultivated. Yet behind the nickname is an artist whose ambitions go beyond vocal gymnastics. He wants to use music to tell stories, express emotions and, most importantly, touch lives.
“I am a proud Christian and a Muganda. Professionally, I am a journalist and researcher, but above all, I am a passionate vocalist.”
That last distinction captures music’s place in his life. To him, it is more than a hobby.
“Music is a calling and a gift that allows me to express emotions, tell stories and inspire people from all walks of life,” he says.
The soundtrack of childhood
Jonathan’s musical story began in Komamboga, Kampala, in a humble Christian home where he was raised under the care of his grandparents.
His childhood environment would prove important in shaping his relationship with music.
Traditional gospel music was a constant presence in the home, exposing him early to songs that were not merely entertainment but expressions of faith, emotion, struggle and hope.
“I grew up in Komamboga, Kampala, in a humble Christian home under the care of my grandparents,” he says. “My childhood was deeply rooted in Christian values, and our home was always filled with traditional gospel music. Those melodies became the soundtrack of my upbringing and planted a dream in my heart to one day become a singer.”
The influence went beyond the music itself.
“Watching how music could uplift spirits and bring people together inspired me to pursue my own musical journey,” he says.
That early foundation also helps explain why gospel remains part of his broad musical palette, even as his artistry has expanded into Blues, Soul, R&B, Jazz and Classical music.
Jonathan’s music is consequently difficult to confine to one genre. He describes his artistic style as a fusion of Western and African musical influences, with the voice serving as the common thread.
“My artistic style is a beautiful fusion of Western and African musical influences,” he explains. “I blend the richness of African sounds with the sophistication of Western music while placing strong emphasis on vocal performance.”
His ambition is to create music that is not confined by geography or culture.
“My goal is to create music that is emotionally powerful, timeless, and capable of crossing cultural boundaries,” he says.
A voice that stands apart
It is the voice, however, that remains Jonathan’s most obvious point of difference. He says his vocal ability is largely natural, although he continues to work on improving it.
“I believe my uniqueness lies in my natural vocal ability,” he says. “I have a distinctive voice that allows me to communicate deep emotions and connect with listeners.”
Rather than attempting to sound like another singer, he believes the most important part of being an artist is embracing one’s individuality.
“Rather than trying to imitate other artists, I embrace my individuality and let my voice speak for itself,” he says.
Jonathan recalls recognising that difference from an early age.
“I realised I was different from my peers at a young age. My voice stood out, and people around me noticed it as well,” he says.
That discovery became part of his understanding of his purpose.
“That realisation made me believe that God had given me a special gift, and I knew I wanted to develop it into something meaningful,” he says.
The idea of music as a God-given gift is central to Jonathan’s understanding of himself as an artist. His Christianity is not merely part of his personal identity; it influences how he interprets his talent and the responsibility that comes with it.
“My vocal ability is a natural gift,” he says. “While I continue to learn and improve, my voice is something God blessed me with naturally, and I strive to use that gift to its fullest potential.”
Learning from the greats
Jonathan’s musical influences reveal the breadth of his ambitions. Within Uganda, he draws inspiration from the country’s musical heritage, naming legendary figures such as Philly Bongoley Lutaaya, Elly Wamala and Jimmy Katumba, alongside Juliana Kanyomozi and Irene Namubiru.
Internationally, his list is even more expansive, stretching across generations and genres.
He cites Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Celine Dion, Luther Vandross and Prince. The common denominator is not necessarily genre. It is mastery.
These are artists whose voices, musicality and emotional delivery helped define their respective eras. “While these remarkable artists have influenced my journey, I also believe my greatest inspiration comes from within,” Jonathan says.
“I constantly challenge myself to discover my own voice and create music that reflects who I truly am.”
That search for identity is perhaps more important than the influences themselves. For an artist with such an unusual vocal range, the temptation would be to build an entire career around the ability to sing notes that surprise audiences.
Songs born from experience
His songwriting is deeply personal. Rather than beginning with a commercial formula or attempting to manufacture emotions, Jonathan draws from life.
“Most of my songs are based on true-life experiences,” he says. “I write about real people, real emotions, and real situations.”
For him, authenticity is what gives a song its emotional weight.
“Because my music comes from genuine experiences, the words and language flow naturally and honestly,” he says.
His songwriting process reflects that philosophy. “My songwriting process is simple and natural,” he explains. “I allow emotions and life experiences to guide me rather than forcing ideas. Authenticity is always my priority.”
That approach has produced songs that occupy different emotional spaces, but two compositions are particularly close to his heart.
The first is “Nankinga,” which he describes as a tribute to his mother and father. It is a song built around appreciation, love and gratitude for the people who have played an important role in his life.
Then there is “Imelda,” a song born from pain. Jonathan wrote it during what he describes as one of the most difficult periods of his life. Unlike a song created simply to fit a particular sound or audience, “Imelda” carries the weight of an experience he actually lived.
“I wrote this song during one of the most painful periods of my life,” he says. “Every lyric carries genuine emotion, making it one of my most personal and emotional compositions.”
It is perhaps in such songs that Jonathan’s broader artistic philosophy becomes clearest: music is a place where lived experience can be transformed into something another person can hear, understand and perhaps find comfort in.
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