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Below is her story.
Tendo released her first song titled Katungulu in 2017.
Through a friend, she was connected to Yese Oman Rafiki, the founder of Route Entertainment and one of the most revered writers in Uganda's music industry.
At the time, Rafiki was in his prime, having written hit songs like Mbozi Za Malwa (Bebe Cool ft. Sauti Sol), Matala and Kano Koze (Winnie Nwagi), Chips Na Ketchup and Malaika (Vinka), among others.
He penned Hajjat Wa Hajji, and a star in Vivian Tendo emerged. The song, which was produced by Eli Arkhis, with its video directed by Chris Debar, became a hit.
Tendo, then 21, was still at university.
Speaking to Ruth Kalibbala, she said the start was smooth for her, as her management was willing to do the dirty work since she was still a student. They also structured a schedule that made it possible for her to continue with her studies.
Her mother was also supportive. It's the father who wasn't.
Her first song, Katungulu, was released in her first year of university and her father stopped paying her tuition because he felt she was getting spoilt. Ironically, the father, who is a teacher by profession -- is also a music trainer and he also picked a music program for Tendo when she was joining university.
Her parents had separated by the time she joined the music industry.
She was at Kyambogo University and her mother assured her she'd pay the tuition. Her mother became a headteacher in 2012.
Tendo has a Bachelor of Arts in Arts (music and literature).
She said her father would have loved her to sing gospel music, but she drew inspiration from secular singers like Irene Ntale.
In 2021 she ended her relationship with Yese Oman Rafiki as her manager.
It all started when Tendo's cousin, one Hilda, who lives in South Africa invited her to perform there.
Hilda had been at a party and Tendo's song titled Mukati played but many people couldn't tell the singer. Some thought it was Spice Diana's.
That didn't sit well with Hilda, so she pitched her the idea of coming to South Africa.
Hilda would organise a small function at which Tendo would perform.
Tendo pitched the idea to Rafiki but he refused since there was no assurance that she would be paid.
Through a mutual associate, Tendo managed to get an okay from Rafiki.
Hilda and her friends began preparations in South Africa: booked a venue, secured a sound system, hired a photographer and designed posters.
Hilda also told Tendo to convince footballer Denis Mansinde Onyango to attend the show and give it more clout.
Onyango, who is a goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns, is a celebrity both in Uganda and South Africa.
Fortunately, Onyango was already friends with Tendo. She even has a song titled Onyango.
He agreed.
However, two days before flying to South Africa, Yese Oman Rafiki told Vivian Tendo that he also wanted a ticket to travel with her.
Tendo realised it would be impossible since getting a visa to South Africa alone is a tall order. It had taken her about three weeks to get hers.
Rafiki said if her cousin (Hilda) get can't him a ticket, he would cease being her (Tendo's) manager.
Tendo thought he was bluffing.
She left for South Africa on October 7.
At the airport, the experience was also horrifying. Her visa indicated that she was going shopping.
As she waited to board, a lady who appeared joking came and told her she wanted money. [Bribes are commonplace at Entebbe International Airport.]
Tendo, who was broke, after back and forth with the relentless lady, got frustrated. She began crying.
She only had $5k, which was also given to her by a friend to show airport officials to validate the shopping on the visa.
She called one of the friends that had accompanied her to the airport to send the airport lady money. After receiving the money, the lady let Tendo go.
In South Africa, she had a successful show.
When she returned, Rafiki asked her to sign a contract with ambiguous terms and she refused. Initially, it has been a gentleman's agreement.
That was the end.
Meanwhile, Vivian Tendo denied ever dating the crooner Dre Cali despite rumours swirling in 2021 that they were an item.
She said artistes are not her type.
On Saturday, June 11, Vivian Tendo and her fiance Moses Waswa Tinsley held an introduction ceremony.
They met during charity work. Tinsley runs a non-profit that looks after needy kids.