KIYAGA HILLARY INNOCENT Biography

Hon. Hilary Kiyaga aka Dr Hilderman Mazongoto is a Ugandan singer, politician, Member of Parliament for Mawokota North Constituency in the 11th Parliament. Dr Hilderman is a cool, simple, talented Ugandan music star, a qualified doctor and also an active musician. His breakthrough single was Double Bed Mazongoto. Double Bed Mazongoto can be described as a super hit per Ugandan standards. After the mega-success of Double Bed Mazongoto single, Hilderman kept the fire burning up to date, and has since released several great songs. Hilderman is one musician who has a clean music record with no fights or quarrels with fellow musicians. His name is Dr Hilderman, he derived it from people calling him ‘Hilary the man’.

Early Life and Education

Dr Hilderman grew up in Mpigi District in a family of 11 and he is the 5th child. He was born to a humble family of the late Maurice Namusaanga Nsubuga and Mrs Margaret Nakanwagi Nsubuga, an extended family. Dr Hilderman attended Kampilingisa Primary School; he studied his entire primary school without shoes. Thereafter, he joined St. Josephs Kakindu but left in S.2 to join St. Kalemba SS Nazigo where he completed his O’ Level education and then Mityana SS for his A’ Level education. He joined Makerere University on a government scholarship where he pursued a degree in Music, Dance and Drama and a paper in Movement Therapy where he attained the Doctor title because he was the best in that class. After his graduation in 2005, Hilderman achieved a scholarship to study in Nairobi at Strathmore University awarded by Aghkan University, because he had gotten a 1st class degree at Makerere University. However, he turned down the offer to pursue a postgraduate diploma in leadership management which he completed in 2007. However, Hilderman narrates he has had a passion for music ever since his childhood. “Whenever, I had music beats I got excited.” He was very active in all the music groups while in school, then in 2002 in his first year at campus, Hilderman began active music. Hilderman released his first single though it wasn’t a popular hit. This was because he was still in school and couldn’t balance the two. “It was really hard I would have class in the morning and then I would have to record or do a show at night so I had to quit.” In 2006, after he was done with school he concentrated on his music and got his breakthrough when he released his hit song “Double Bed Mazongoto.” This was a breakthrough for Hilderman.

Music

Dr Hilderman got his inspiration from artists like Bobi Wine and Sylver Kyagulanyi. “These are artistes I studied with and I saw them come to the lime light. I saw them grow and thought if they could make it so could I,” he recounts. He also remembers meeting many celebrities at music, drama and dance events and this too inspired him and drive to become a better musician. As a musician, Dr Hilderman hates fronting books because the majority of the elites are the biggest disappointment to Uganda’s music arena. According to him, elite musicians have done a lot in degrading and tarnishing the music industry and Uganda in particular. “I rather cover my degree and act as a common person for books not to ruin my focus.” Dr Hilderman’s music has brought a lot of fulfilment in his life. He has been able to get so many fans and friends who have helped him a lot in his life. He has also been able to provide for his family, acquire property and land. Dr Hilderman has got to travel, meet new people and explore the world but most of all has been able to influence society positively. According to him, it’s not easy to influence society. Despite the numerous achievements Dr Hilderman has attained, there are challenges he has encountered as well, particularly the competition which keeps him on his toes trying to do the best for his fans. He said his music career is associated with a lot of expenses as regards marketing his music. Poor copyright law also has affected him causing him great losses just like other artists. Hilderman also thinks that Ugandan music lacks identity which draws back the music industry. “When you play a Nigerian song, you will definitely know it’s a Nigerian song.”

Politics

Dr Hilderman in 2020 joined active politics by contesting for the Mawokota North Constituency Parliamentary seat on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket and won. This was his first time participating in elective politics. He unseated the incumbent Amelia Kyambadde of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Hilderman said the electorate entrusted him to unseat Kyambadde as a vote of no confidence for having participated in the removal of the presidential age limit from the Constitution. He began following politics in 2010 but the idea of standing for office came in during the period of the Constitutional Amendment to remove the president’s age limit. According to Hilderman, he and the people of Mawokota closely followed the proceedings and their stand was not to tamper with the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. But Kyambadde went against their will and he felt offended as somebody who campaigned for her and composed a song asking her not to betray the electorate. So when he looked into the matter, he stood up to take up the mantel because he could not trust anyone else. Dr Hilderman first tasted the electorate when he campaigned for his long time friend and politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine now the NUP President the time he contested for the Kyadondo East parliamentary seat. Here, he got a chance to witness how political campaigns are conducted, and how funds are fundraised. Before, Dr Hilderman was not attached to politics; he believed politics is a dirty game. He also said he cannot join politics in a country like Uganda where there’s no democracy, “I would like to join politics to promote not to preach like most people do.” But all these believe disappeared when he joined active politics in 2020. However, Dr Hilderman is grateful to the commitment of his long time friend and NUP Party President Kyagulanyi and support rendered towards his political campaigns much as his movements were frequently sabotaged by security organs.

Family and Religion

Dr Hilderman is a strong catholic, he’s married to Cissy Namuddu Ssetumba, his long time girlfriend, with whom he has two children. Songs • Lumu • Nabweteme • Mazongoto • Mr. Matama – Henry Tigan Ft Dr. Hilderman • East African Lady \kampe • Kabaka Wange hullo Mummy • Campus Gal • Bakolima Nyo • Amelia • Abite Ebikute • Abafilisuti • Yamanyi Bwabikola • Sumagiza • Ontuuka • Omwana Agenda • Ntinda – Dr. Hilderman Ft Zil • Nkwgala – Dr. Hilderman Ft Hindu Asha • Tuula Wendi – Dr. Hilderman Ft Eddie Lule • Asaba Mukama • Amulasi • Angera • Am in Love • Watching You – Dr Hilderman Ft Winnie Nwagi • Olibiki Mukama • Sseki • Abite Ebikutte • Talindeka • Bapipo Ntayi • Amelia • Omwana Agenda • Nabweteme • This Year • Omwana 2016 • Kijakugwa 2013 • Mr Matama 2013 • Amulasi • Ndiwamukisa 2012 • Ye Kikyo 2013 • Yamanyi Bwabikola • Campus Girl • Omulabe 2016 • Abafirisuuti • Angella Albums • Angella – 1 song • Dr Hilderman Singles – 53 songs • Yesiimye – 11 songs • Asaba Mukama – 4 songs • Omwana Agenda – 3 songs • Hon Speaker – 1 song • Team Kyelandiza – 1 song