Entertainment
Winnie Nwagi Reveals Humble Beginnings, Reveals Own Shocking Secrets
Celebrated Ugandan singer Winnie Nwagi, known for hits like Malaika, has opened up about her challenging life before fame, revealing that she once earned as little as 700 Ugandan shillings a day.
Speaking about her journey, the singer, whose real name is Nakanwagi Winfred, shared that before pursuing music, she worked as a sales agent for MTN. At the time, she lived in Namasuba, a suburb of Kampala.
During those early days, MTN had recently introduced Mobile Money, and sales agents were tasked with encouraging people to sign up for the new service. Their income was entirely commission-based.
“We were a big team,” Nwagi recalled. “Our job was to move around different parts of the city and convince people to register for Mobile Money. You were given 1500 shillings per registration, but the money was handed back to the company, so you had to work hard to earn.”
She added that many people would often register directly with MTN shops, making it difficult for agents like her to earn a steady income. “There were days I walked away with just 700 shillings,” she said.
Winnie’s life took a positive turn in 2014 when she became the runner-up in the Coca-Cola Rated Nex singing competition. That opportunity landed her a record deal with Swangz Avenue, setting her on the path to becoming one of Uganda’s top music stars.