They may now boast a star-studded roster that includes Winnie Nwagi, Vinka, Azawi, Zafaran, and Elijah Kitaka — but for Swangz Avenue, Irene Ntale remains the one that got away.
In a rare moment of vulnerability, Benon Mugumbya, co-founder of the label, admitted that Ntale’s departure from Swangz Avenue still stings — years after it happened. Speaking on Deep Talk with Mr. Henrie, Benon confessed that the reasons behind Ntale’s exit remain unclear, even to those at the helm of the label.
“I will not lie — Irene Ntale’s departure hurt us so much because she is very talented, and I believe she is one of the most gifted Ugandan female artistes,” he said.
Ntale, who rose to stardom under the Swangz Avenue banner with a string of soulful hits and genre-bending versatility, parted ways with the label under circumstances that remain murky to this day.
“It was painful because we cannot explain the circumstances of her departure,” Benon added. “Any story I might tell would seem speculative. We’ve never had a real conversation with anyone about what happened, and honestly, I wish things had turned out differently.”
While both camps have since moved on — Ntale as an independent artiste and Swangz as a powerhouse talent incubator — the unresolved nature of the split has continued to intrigue fans and industry insiders alike.
For Benon, it’s not just a business decision that haunts him — it’s the departure of an artist he still holds in high artistic regard.
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