Celebrity life stopped at Entebbe International Airport, says Stecia after relocating to Canada

It is common for Ugandan artistes to choose to step away from their careers for various reasons, such as wanting a change in lifestyle, pursuing other personal interests, or seeking a different environment for themselves or their families, like Julie Mutesasira, Sweet Kid, Desire Luzinda and Judith Babirye did

Former Eagles Production singer Stecia Mayanja has joined the fray.

She stated that she encountered numerous challenges in the Ugandan music industry, with little money but high expenditures.

Stecia turned to acting and producing Ugandan films. However, there appeared to be little market for hercompleted content. 

In a Zoom interview on Friday, June 14, 2024, Stecia expressed a sense of disappointment, stating that despite trying various business ventures, none succeeded, leading her to feel ashamed of facing financial difficulties in her community where she once enjoyed celebrity status as an esteemed artiste.

She decided to relocate to Canada to start anew in a community where she is not recognised, seeking a fresh beginning and a chance to rebuild her life. 

According to Stecia, she claims to have made the decision due to health challenges she has faced in previous years, which led to multiple admissions to intensive care units.

"I was so sick and I had to seek all possible help in Canada. Remember, I never had any money for treatment back in Uganda, where I had tried my luck in music, but it was not successful. I changed my career and started a film company, where I acted in Ugandan films, but still, there was no money. I was left with no money and feared the shame of going broke in a country where I am celebrated and praised as an artiste. I decided to leave the country and start afresh, which was not an easy decision to make, and go to Canada," she said.

 Upon reaching Canada, she encountered numerous unexpected challenges despite people praising the country as the land of freedom and wealth opportunities. There, the expectation is that everyone should become rich as a mandate. She started doing work that she had never done before in her life and regrets leaving Uganda.

"Oho, my Lord! I never expected to see these kinds of bunk beds. You people in Dubai and Saudi Arabia think you are the only ones who sleep badly on bunk beds. No, my people, even here in Canada, many sleep in the same manner. Even I, your star, am here sleeping on a bunk bed. The difference between my bunk bed and yours is that mine is a bit more expensive due to the producers from the country where it comes from," Stecia said.

Stecia revealed that Kasim Saleh, chairman of Uganda Culture in the Diaspora, and the chief executive officer of Uganda Kwe Kwaffe Business and Cultural Forum, helped her settle in in Canda
 "When I arrived, he found a place for me to stay, and after a week, I got a job working as a casual worker, cleaning toilets and swimming pools while studying. But I suffered with the work since I was not used to this type of casual labour. The celebrity life stopped at Entebbe International Airport, and life here is very different. No one knows us, and many of us are in the same state," Stecia said.

She said she is now doing better. Stecia stated that she is now realising her dream of living in Canada, a country often hailed as a promised land with plentiful opportunities and potential for financial success. Now, she believes it is time to focus on other endeavours that will bring in income. 

"I later studied and now work in the health department," Stecia said.

She advised Ugandans to never leave their country for foreign lands because life can be difficult abroad. 

"I am a single mother of five children, and their fathers abandoned us. I am both the father and the mother, and I have to fight for the future of my kids. I will work and achieve my dreams. But if you are in Uganda and have something to do, please stay in Uganda. Music has no future in Uganda; I tried and failed," Stecia said.

Later on Friday evening, June 14, 2024, via Zoom, we interviewed Kassim Saleh, who is based in Canada. 

“I came to know Stecia in 2019. I helped her process all the necessary travel documents to Canada and later secured a visa for her. I first met Stecia when she was very sick and admitted to the hospital, unable to afford treatment. She asked me to help her get treatment in a better country. I arranged for her to come to Canada for treatment, which she accepted. After her recovery, she wanted to work, so I arranged everything for her, found her a place to stay, and eventually got her a job while she continued her studies. She started with casual work, cleaning toilets and swimming pools, but after completing her course, she now works in the health department," he said.

Kasim noted that there are many Ugandan artistes who have transformed their lives abraod, such as Judith Babirye, Emperor Orlando, and the Love Boys.

"They left their music and celebrity lives to work for their future. Here in Canada, no one knows them, and their lives are different since they are refugees. They have to work and take any job available to survive. To secure good jobs, they had to go back to school and study. Those who did not pursue further education are doing casual labour in factories and cleaning jobs," he said.