Meet Segmento, the nutritionist feeding souls

JORDAN SSEKAMATTE, 32, also known as Segmento, is a promising gospel artiste, one of the new kids on the block with his banger Yakyadde.

But apart from that, he has other songs like Ndabye Katonda, Bwerere, and his recent one Nakijoba, among others. Quick Talk caught up with him last week.

Good afternoon chief; praise God! Praise him, nice to meet you! Can you briefly talk about yourself?

I am Jordan Ssekamatte aka Segmento Omusomi wa Matayo. I am a proud Muganda man belonging to the Kkobe clan. I’m a gospel artiste and born-again. I fellowship with Shiloh City in Mukono.

Why the name Segmento? [not Quick Talk thinking about] sedimentary rocks…

Segmento is an acronym, it stands for ‘sent to give a message for nations to obey’. So, there is a prophetic ingredient in my name. And the fact that I’m doing gospel music, attests to the fact that it’s Kingdom business.

Were you born in a Christian family?

Yes, my parents were ministers in church; so, my whole life has been in church. All the mistake a youth can do, I have done them in the church.

So, I imagine your music journey started in a church choir…

Yeah, my music journey spans way back from 2006. I used to sing in the church, and school. I used to mime Sseku Martin’s songs. Children at school used to call me Young Sseku. But professionally, becoming a performing artiste was in 2019.

Is it fair to say that Sseku Martin inspired you, then?

Yes, but he does not believe that; I don’t know why. Every time I meet him, I tell him, ‘man, you inspired me’.

What was your first song?

It’s called Tondeka. It is a song that made me a performing artiste. I sat down and meditated about the life I have been living as a youth who has grown in the church and I realized that it has only been God’s mercy that has brought me this far.

Do you write all your songs like other gospel musicians?

Don’t say ‘like other gospel musicians’. There are so many gospel musicians who are not writing their music. But for me, I write my music and I write for other people as well.

Have you ever tried to sing secular music?

That’s an agreement I have with God. You cannot know how many people advised me to switch to secular. I cannot do any other music apart from gospel music. I love worship.

Since your debut song, have you done any concert?

I have done two concerts; the one I did in Fido Dido and the one I did at MTN Arena Lugogo. They were successful, I thank God for that. I am looking forward to doing more gospel shows and concerts.

Could you tell Quick Talk about your education background?

I was actually a bright student; I got aggregate 5 in PLE, 10 in UCE and 16 points at A-level, and then I did a BSc in human nutrition at Makerere University and majored in bilateral pitting edema and dietary approaches to stop hypertension; that’s why most [people] call me musawo [doctor]. They had given me medicine but I did not want to go to Gulu [University].

Did you ever practice what you studied?

I think that was only during my school practice. I worked with Kabale regional referral hospital. I also worked with Anaka hospital in Nwoya [so, you did go to Gulu, after all…] and then I went to Mwana Mugimu.

I was practicing for my dissertation, that’s when Covid-19 came; so, I wasn’t shortlisted among the employees. But my passion was already in music.

Were your parents okay with you sticking to music instead?

They were pissed, but they had nothing to do because right from day one, they knew I wanted do music since childhood. Every Sunday I always had a special song and could also perform at crusades.

How do you handle the high expectations that people put up for ‘balokole’, moreso now that you are in the limelight?

I always tell people that as a Christian, we are supposed to emulate Christ. school practice. I worked with Kabale regional referral hospital. I also worked with Anaka hospital in Nwoya [so, you did go to Gulu, after all…] and then I went to Mwana Mugimu.

I was practicing for my dissertation, that’s when Covid-19 came; so, I wasn’t shortlisted among the employees. But my passion was already in music.

What achievement stands out as a gospel musician?

My achievements are both materialistic and spiritual. I have inspired so many people. I have brought people to the industry and my life has improved spiritually. But also, music has introduced me to places I never imagined and all the material things I have so far, it’s because people know me as a gospel artiste.

What message would you give to struggling young gospel artistes?

Do not have materialistic expectations when you’re doing gospel music. Some people think that gospel music is just about singing and dancing. Matthew 6:3 says, seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then the rest that you want will follow you.

Where do you see yourself in the near future?

I am seeing myself global. Based on the music that I am doing.

You quote the Bible a lot; do you also preach in church?

I don’t necessarily preach in church, but I preach to all the people around me; all my friends know that. I am also planning to start street preaching, because Christ expects us to preach to all nations.

What do you do outside music?

Actually, for me, music is everything. Anything else I do, still, is because of music. For example, my brand is collaborating with Victoria University brand, but it’s all because of music.

Are you married?

No, I am not married; I am very single [Quick Talk wonders how ‘very single’ differs from single, as the interview ends.]

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