Dr Hilderman Mazongoto

Doctor Hilderman Mazongoto, whose original name is Hillary Kiyaga, is a highly talented and admired music sensation from Uganda. Besides his successful music career, he is a qualified medical doctor. His breakthrough hit, "Double Bed Mazongoto," achieved tremendous popularity in Uganda and is considered a super hit by local standards.

Following the massive success of "Double Bed Mazongoto," Hilderman continued to thrive in the music scene, delivering numerous great songs like "Campus Gal," "Mr. Matama" featuring Henry Tigan, "Made in Uganda" alongside Leila Kayondo, "Kampe," and "Amelia." Remarkably, Hilderman has maintained a clean record in the music industry, devoid of any conflicts or disputes with fellow musicians.

Hilderman earned his stage name from the nickname "Hilary the man" given to him by those who knew him well. His upbringing took place in Mpigi village, and he moved to the city only for his secondary education.

Being the fifth child in a large family of eleven, Hilderman attended Kampilingisa Primary School, St. Kalemba, Mityana Secondary School, and later pursued a degree in Music, Dance, and Drama at Makerere University.

In addition to his medical and undergraduate music degree, Hilderman pursued further education and obtained a postgraduate degree in leadership and management from Strathmore, Nairobi University. Throughout his life, he has harbored a deep passion for music, expressing, "Whenever I had music beats, I got excited."

While attending school, Hilderman actively participated in various music groups. However, his true journey into the music industry commenced in 2002 during his first year at campus. He took a step into the recording studio and released his initial single, but unfortunately, it didn't gain much popularity. The challenge arose from the difficulty of juggling his academic commitments with his musical pursuits. He reminisces, "It was really hard; I would attend classes in the morning, and then I would have to record or perform in a show at night, so I had to quit."

Once he completed his studies in 2006, Hilderman decided to fully focus on his music career. This dedication bore fruit when he achieved a major breakthrough with the release of his hit song, "Double Bed Mazongoto."

After stepping into the music scene, Hilderman's presence became known to the general public. As his popularity grew, people started to recognize and appreciate his music.

Hilderman found inspiration from established artists like Bobi Wine and Silver Kyagulanyi, with whom he had studied and witnessed their rise to fame. Observing their growth, he believed that if they could succeed, so could he. Moreover, attending music, drama, and dance events introduced him to numerous celebrities, fueling his determination to become a better musician.

Outside of his music career, Hilderman enjoys spending time with friends at house parties and drink-ups. He relishes in "nyama kyomo" (barbecued meat) and indulges in drama or investigation movies. Sports are also a significant part of his life, with basketball being his favorite. He is skilled in both goalkeeping and volleyball.

Hilderman holds strong Catholic Christian beliefs and is married to Cissy Namuddu, his longtime girlfriend, with whom he shares two children. Despite having a successful music career, he maintains a distance from politics, considering it a "dirty game." However, he contemplates engaging in politics to practice, rather than merely preach, and emphasizes the importance of democracy for such a pursuit.

Music has brought immense fulfillment to Hilderman's life, garnering him numerous fans and supportive friends. It has allowed him to provide for his family, acquire property and land, and explore the world, positively influencing society along the way. Nonetheless, being a music star also comes with challenges, particularly the competition that pushes him to continually strive for excellence. Additionally, he faces considerable expenses when marketing his own music.

Similar to many other artists, Hilderman faces significant challenges due to the poor copyright law, resulting in substantial financial losses for him.

He strongly believes that unless these challenges are addressed, Ugandan music will struggle to make a mark in the global market. One of the reasons, he points out, is the lack of a distinct identity in Ugandan music, hindering the industry's progress. He contrasts this with Nigerian music, where the uniqueness of their songs is easily recognizable.

Looking ahead, Hilderman has ambitious plans to support others in realizing their talents and achieving their dreams. He intends to save enough money to promote young artists and dreams of establishing a professional band that performs live music.The musician emphasizes the importance of originality for young artists, stating that without a unique identity, they cannot effectively compete in the music industry.

Currently, Hilderman is actively working on a 10-track album. Recently, he held the video launch for the title track "Do as I Say" at Club Amnesia on June 28