JOSEPH SIBOMANA, alias SingStar Ali’, music is proof that disability is not inability. The upcoming musician, who is the first visually impaired person to complete his music training course at Nyundo School of art and music based in Muhanga district, is one of the upcoming musicians promising to take local music to another level. Inspired by Niyo Bosco, a visually impaired artiste who is one of the best singers and songwriters in the country, Sing Star Ally started writing at only 10 years of age. The 23 year old artiste told this publication that he was born with normal sight, but at the age of 2, he was diagnosed with a visual infection and doctors declared that he wouldn’t be able to see again. This, according to Ali, led him to hardships in life but didn’t stop him from pursuing his dreams. Ali was later helped by good Samaritans to join the HVP Gatagara School of the disabled where he learnt languages throughout his secondary education paving way for him to join Nyundo School of Music. “After finishing O level, I told people who were helping me that I want to pursue my studies in music, and they never hesitated to do it because I was the first visually impaired student in the whole school,” Ali said. He added that Nyundo School opened his childhood dream of becoming a musician. At Nyundo, Ali added that he learnt song composition and singing but picked the interest of starting a solo music career despite challenges of getting his music ambition and project to the limelight. Because of lack of financial capacity and connection, Ali shifted to live with his sister in Kabuga sector in Kigali city to tap into the opportunities in the City dwelling places. “My challenge is to know producers and places where I can go and record,” he said. Despite the challenges, Ali has managed to produce more than three songs in Kinyarwanda which focus on daily life challenges including life of disability among others. He mixes traditional music and pop in most of his songs, and adds his guitar melodies with his voice. He urged the Rwandan government, especially the ministries in charge of sports and education, to assist people with disabilities at any cost, by providing more programs that can uplift their talents. If discovered with sponsorship and management, Sibomana could become the second visually impaired artiste in Rwanda, after Niyo Bosco to take Rwandan music to greater heights. ‘Rutanisha’ by SingStar Ali is one of his songs that won the attention of many music lovers in Rwanda.
