Veteran Tanzanian gospel singer Rose Muhando has shared a painful story from her past, when betrayal led to her arrest at the airport just as she was preparing to travel to the United States.
Muhando explained in an interview with Lady Bishop Kathy Kiuna that the troubles began after her first manager was jailed. She was left alone with her choir, and someone new approached her, offering to manage her ministry. She trusted the person and agreed.
But soon, things went wrong.
She started feeling uncomfortable around him and decided to distance herself. Around the same time, she received an invitation to perform in the United States.
Muhando says that her new manager then accused her of stealing nine million Tanzanian shillings from his office. This led to her arrest at the airport on the day she was meant to fly to Texas. Police confiscated her passport and asked her to leave her car as bond.
Despite the betrayal, Muhando was eventually allowed to travel to the United States, with the case set to be discussed when she returned. While in the U.S., she channeled her pain into her music and wrote her hit song Nibebe, which she says reflects the hardships she endured.
After returning home, Muhando surprised many with her act of forgiveness. She bought herself a new car and gave the old one—the same vehicle used as her bond—to the person who had falsely accused her.
Muhando says the experience taught her about resilience and the power of forgiveness. She recalls how the betrayal and arrest tested her faith, but also inspired her to create music that touches lives.
By Vivian K.