Renowned female saxophonist Maureen Rutabingwa, aka Mo Roots, is slowly finding a footing in Kigali.

After an impressive performance at a recent Kigali music show, the Ugandan artiste will be back this Friday to grace the Jazz Junction at Kigali Serena Hotel.

But, who is Maureen Rutabingwa?

She is a pianist, singer, and saxophonist whose love for music started in her early school days.

Her musical journey started with the Hillcrest Preparatory School choir in Nairobi—Kenya at the age of six, and it is the same time that she discovered her passion and talent for the saxophone.

"When we returned to Uganda, I joined Kampala Music School and also became part of the orchestra when I joined Vienna College in Kampala,” says Rutabingwa.

She started with classical piano lessons and played the recorder in the school orchestra before transitioning to the sax when her music teacher introduced her to the instrument at the age of 12.

She later joined Qwela Band which is based in Kampala.

She describes the saxophone as "a sexy and commanding instrument, with attitude and ‘fire.’

"At that time Qwela Band didn’t have anybody playing the saxophone and they asked me to pick it up and see how it goes. Since then it has been like a scene because not many women play the saxophone. It’s grown into a big career and image than I had anticipated it to,” she says of her experience.

She was the only female sax player for Uganda’s Qwela Band in 2012 and still performs with the band even after co-founding the Soul Deep band in 2013 as a lead vocalist. She has so far recorded three singles, Muluyimba, Omuka, and Take it all back.

Mo Roots is aware of the fact that there are very few female instrumentalists in Uganda and wants to use the opportunity as an inspiration to other young girls.

"It’s a bit daunting because it is somehow male dominated but for me I put my energy to it.”

"I also realised that it is very powerful because there are many girls who look up to you… it is not something that people see very often so when people see it, they admire it. I felt that it is something that I need to pursue to inspire girls,” she says.

She encourages girls to believe in themselves and be excellent in what they love to do.

For those that are not intrigued by jazz, Mo Roots describes them as "unaware because every kind of music that we enjoy today was inspired by jazz. I think they are not exposed to the right kind of jazz.”

Mo Roots also works as a brand manager for Uganda Breweries Ltd, having graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from the University of East Anglia in Norwich. She says she has learnt to balance both tasks easily.

"I try to be meticulous with my time. I plan for it and stick to it. I also enjoy both, so sometimes it doesn’t feel like work and I take my rest days seriously and spend time with my family,” she says.

Rutabingwa wants to be remembered as a person who inspired those who look up to her.

"I want to be known and respected for being an instrumentalist and an all round girl because it is not only about me. I want to see more people like myself. I would encourage other girls to pick up instruments and be many like us,” she says.

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