In the latest installment of Tusker Malt Conversessions, singer, songwriter, and content creator Elijah Kitaka offers viewers and fans one of the most vulnerable and soul-baring versions of him yet.
Episode Four of the third season, which premiered on YouTube at 6pm on Sunday, peels back the layers of Kitaka’s complex journey, from a challenging upbringing to becoming a multifaceted creative force in Uganda’s music and digital space.
Kitaka opened up about breaking away from church, a place he once turned to for spiritual grounding but which ultimately left him feeling judged and alienated.
“I remember trying to live like a proper church person, but the church people would gossip or judge. If you didn’t behave their way, they distanced themselves from you. So, I became the kind of person who just stayed away. I was spiritually lost. I was looking for peace, truth, and guidance,” he confessed.
Kitaka didn’t sugarcoat his past. He shared honestly about growing up in poverty, being estranged from his family, and the toll it took on his emotional wellbeing. Music, he says, was not just a career but a lifeline.
“Music became my parent. It fed me emotionally when nothing else could,” Kitaka shares.
Despite these hardships, he emphasized the value of hard work, constant learning, and surrounding oneself with a solid support system, naming industry figures like Kas Kasozi and Maurice Kirya as pivotal in his journey.
One of the other highlights of the episode is Kitaka’s candid reflection on his love life and fatherhood.
“In the past, I was drawn to music, to the attention it brought, to having fun. But I didn’t always do the right thing… I admit—I didn’t marry the mothers of my kids. That was wrong… I wasn’t mature enough back then, even though I thought I was wise.”
Kitaka’s honesty about youthful mistakes, public judgment, and personal evolution serves as a reminder that growth is a process. His message is one of grace, self-awareness, and the courage to heal.
Another standout moment he touched on is the struggle of being a creative in Uganda, where both emotional and financial uncertainty are constant. Kitaka spoke about flowing through life rather than feeling fully in control, a tension many creatives can relate to.
He also went deep into cultural identity and fashion, noting that his fashion is a mix of both African and Western, a fusion he proudly wears as a fashion statement. He challenged societal norms and calls for more open-mindedness and education around how Ugandans, especially those abroad, express themselves.
Kitaka calls for better emotional preparation and understanding within families and relationships, especially when it comes to supporting creatives. He also emphasizes a longing for divine guidance and strength as he continues to navigate his journey.
Since its inaugural episode in 2022, Tusker Malt Conversessions has become a standout platform for Uganda’s talents. It offers Uganda’s biggest artistes a chance to speak their truths beyond the microphone.
According to Mercy Atwongyeire, Project Manager at UBL, the magic lies in its authenticity.
“Tusker Malt Conversessions was created to give artistes a platform where they’re not just seen but deeply heard. Elijah’s episode reminds us that vulnerability is a form of strength and that’s what makes this platform so powerful.”
Catch the full episode with Elijah Kitaka on YouTube @tuskermaltug. Whether you’re in it for the music, the stories, or the inspiration, one thing’s for sure, the Conversessions keep getting better with every drop.
