Iryn Namubiru Opens Up on 11-Year Rift with Her Mother, Industry Struggles, and Survival Story
Renowned Ugandan singer Iryn Namubiru has revealed a heartbreaking truth—she has not spoken to her mother in 11 years. The emotional confession came during the latest episode of Tusker Malt Conversessions, where she shared deeply personal stories of betrayal, hardship, and survival that have shaped her life and career.
Betrayal and Family Rift
Namubiru recounted how her world fell apart following her 2013 arrest in Japan, when drugs were found in her luggage at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. She later discovered that her then-manager, Tedius, had set her up, leading her to fire him immediately. However, the most painful part of the ordeal was her own mother’s reaction.
“She was at first indifferent, then became overly defensive before even being confronted, acting like a guilty party,” Namubiru revealed.
After conducting her own investigations, she uncovered unsettling truths about her mother’s involvement, further deepening their estrangement. She also disclosed that she has documented her experiences in a manuscript but has chosen not to publish it—at least for now.
“Should anything happen to me, I will instruct the release of the recordings and written accounts of everything I have endured,” she hinted.
Music Industry Struggles and Public Attacks
Namubiru also opened up about her struggles in the music industry, admitting that she felt “dead” for over a decade due to betrayals, industry politics, and public scrutiny.
“People you count on, people you trust—your heroes—can end up being the same people who destroy you,” she reflected.
She further revealed how online defamation affected her, disclosing that she has been tracking hateful comments and tracing the IP addresses of individuals behind targeted attacks.
“People say words don’t kill, but words do kill, especially in a society like ours where you cannot talk about certain things,” she lamented.
Surviving the 2018 Lake Victoria Boat Tragedy
Namubiru also recalled her near-death experience during the tragic 2018 Lake Victoria boat accident, where several people lost their lives. Despite having a strong feeling that she should stay home that day, she ignored the warnings and went ahead with a friend’s invitation.
When the accident happened, she heard a voice reassuring her that she would survive.
“I heard a voice saying, ‘You will reach, don’t panic, don’t scream, you won’t die.’ If this is not God, then I don’t know,” she said, describing it as a miraculous escape that strengthened her faith.
