God helped me through nudity scandal – Desire Luzinda

In 2014, the nudes of then secular singer Desire Luzinda surfaced on the internet, allegedly leaked by her Nigerian boyfriend, Franklin Emuobor. Now a gospel artiste, with songs such as I Overcome, Desire shared insights into her transformative journey and her life since embracing salvation with Sarah Nabakooza.

 WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO CREATE AND PERFORM GOSPEL MUSIC?

To me, worship is deeper and it’s that intimate place with my God because it is a calling. My inspiration is drawn from the revelation of Christ to me and the relationship I have with Him; it is from that place that I create my worship.

CAN YOU SHARE A PERSONAL TESTIMONY THAT HAS DEEPLY INFLUENCED YOUR MUSIC?

In 2014 when I had that nudity scandal, that could only take God to bring me out of, but it was meant to bury me. I remember one Saturday afternoon; I was at the prayer mountain crying to the Lord when the spirit of the Lord spoke through a woman I didn’t know. It took an interpreter to translate what God was saying and I remember those words as if it was yesterday.  He said He was turning my story around.  I thanked God, but I didn’t know what it meant until it all turned around. That is the God I know. To-date I know people who still think I did it on purpose because they simply can’t put an explanation to how I came out of it. In there lies the foundation of my ministration.

CAN YOU SHARE SOME OF YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCES AS A GOSPEL ARTISTE?

I have publicly worshipped twice since I gave my life entirely to serve God; when I was launching the Desire Luzinda Foundation and during the Mbeera (gospel singer Levixone’s Mbeera concert) concert. Each of those moments was different and very special to me and it’s hard to tell which one was more memorable. They both left an indelible mark, however to answer you, I can say God has continued to introduce me His way from Glory to Glory.

WHAT MESSAGES DO YOU AIM TO CONVEY THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?

My message in my worship is centred on the love of Christ revealed in Romans 8:1, which says “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” God loves us unconditionally and through that love, we are transformed. Through the knowledge of His love, we are assured we cannot fail because we have such a Hope in Him. Through the knowledge of that love, we know we are overcomers. 

HOW DO YOU BELIEVE GOSPEL MUSIC HAS THE POWER TO IMPACT AND INSPIRE INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES?

David, a man after God’s own heart was a worshipper, he played an instrument and the troubling spirit on King Saul would depart, which shows the power in true worship. We see many times in the Bible the Israelites won battles by just worshipping 2 Chronicles 20:18. This means worship touches the heart of God and where words may fail, one can just worship God in spirit and truth and He will move mightily.  Music is one thing that unites people regardless of language, colour etc. and I believe if a sound of heavens is released, no man can stay the same.

ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR ARTISTS WHO HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR MUSICAL JOURNEY?

 As I grow in knowing God and come to learn the heart of worship, I become more and more particular concerning who ministers to my heart and stirs me up. Men of God like Levixone, Nathaniel Bassey, GUC and Hill songs minister to me, but Apostle Grace Lubega’s worship will get me to burst into prayer at any moment.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A GOSPEL ARTISTE, AND HOW HAVE YOU OVERCOME THEM?

 I have not met any challenges so far. In fact, what many people around me worried most about my transition has since been the easiest part. Most people fear to fully serve God through gospel music because they think there is no money, but once you know God fully, money ceases to be the biggest worry.

The Bible says, “But Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

He fixed me financially. All I have to keep doing is to give myself wholly to know Him more and more. The more I know Him, the more everything else falls in place and it’s evident.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR FAITH AND SPIRITUALITY WITH YOUR MUSIC CAREER?

 I don’t think there is anything like balancing faith, spirituality and music journey because my faith and spirituality precede the place of worship. My worship is as a result of the life I am cultivating in God. That’s why I am not in a rush to produce music because the results have to be in sync with what God has revealed to me for men to be touched, transformed and ministered to.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO ASPIRING GOSPEL ARTISTS WHO ARE JUST STARTING THEIR MUSICAL JOURNEY?

 I advise the upcoming artistes to seek God above everything else. Do not be in a rush for fame and money. Let your sound introduce you as a result of what you have cultivated. When God introduces you, it’s the best thing one could ever yearn for.

IN YOUR OPINION, HOW HAS GOSPEL MUSIC EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, AND WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE GENRE?

 Revival is taking place and it is evident. The trajectory changed and continues to change. In such times as this, we are seeing worshippers hold the biggest concerts and gathering to seek God than ever before and it’s getting bigger. People are hungry for God and we are taking over in Jesus’ name.

HOW DO YOU ENGAGE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE AND BUILD A CONNECTION THROUGH YOUR MUSIC?

 I simply worship and preach the Christ that I know and let God do the rest. It doesn’t matter whether there is an audience of five or 10,000. The moment I begin to worship, it’s between me and my God. The rest is His part to do. The Bible says in John 12:32: “If my name is lifted up, I will draw men to myself .”

HOW DO YOU APPROACH SONGWRITING, AND WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE?

 I have barely written music because I often thought I couldn’t write. However, this all changed when God found me because the spirit gives me songs. I am yet to record them

HAVE YOU FACED ANY CRITICISM FOR YOUR GOSPEL MUSIC, AND HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT?

 I did face the critics when I had just come out publicly but God delivered me from men the moment I joined Phaneroo. I learnt through the word that the more they speak the more I should preach Christ. I did just that and today it’s the new normal.

WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK GOSPEL MUSIC PLAYS IN BRINGING ABOUT SOCIAL CHANGE AND UNITY?

 Let us talk about music in general first. When children listen to music that curses, what impact has it on them? Have you not seen people dancing erotically because of trends published in some secular music? When we talk about gospel music, personally I have been in situations that could have depressed me, but on playing worship music, my spirit is revived. I have had cases where ladies were suicidal and I advised them to spend more time listening to worship music and the testimonies have been very humbling. Now imagine a society or nation that is sold out to God and listens to worship music! Where would a child learn to curse or speak profanities? Definitely gospel music plays a big role in moulding character and where there are good morals, there will definitely be unity.

HOW DO YOU STAY MOTIVATED AND INSPIRED AS A GOSPEL ARTISTE, ESPECIALLY DURING CHALLENGING TIMES?

I listen to the Word like it is the air that I breathe. I labour not to go a day without listening to a sermon and that keeps me hopeful regardless of the circumstances I am faced with.  The Word is a booster if only people knew.

ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC ASPIRATIONS YOU HAVE FOR YOUR MUSIC CAREER IN THE FUTURE?

I aspire to worship men to life not just in Uganda, but the whole world.