Rema Namakula
Born (1991-04-24) April 24, 1991[1]
Kampala, Uganda
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter producer
Years active2010–present
EducationKyambogo University
Spouse
Hamza Ssebunya
​
(m. 2019)​

Rehema Namakula (born 07 April 1990), known professionally as Rema Namakula or simply Rema, is a Ugandan singer, songwriter and record producer.[2]

Background and education

Rema was born in Lubaga Hospital, on 24 April 1991, to the late Hamida Nabbosa and the late Mukiibi Ssemakula.[1] She is the last-born in her family. She attended Kitante Primary School for her elementary school education. She studied at Saint Balikudembe Senior Secondary School for both O-Level and A-Level studies. Later, she joined Kyambogo University.[1] which she never completed and says she plans to do so in future

Career

During her Senior 6 vacation, she began singing karaoke. Later, she became a back-up singer to another Ugandan female musician Halima Namakula, who became her mentor. She continued her music career as a backup artist for Ugandan musician Bebe Cool in Gagamel, Bebe Cool's recording group. In 2013, Bebe Cool was watching television when he saw Rema talking about launching a solo album, which Bebe Cool didn't know about. So he fired her and she went solo.[2][3] In 2013 she released "Oli Wange" which was written by Nince Henry which made her popular in the music industry of Uganda.[2]

In 2016, Rema Namakula was selected to represent Uganda at the fourth season of Coke Studio Africa 2016. Other Ugandan recording artists selected included Lydia Jazmine, Eddy Kenzo and Radio and Weasel.[4] Other participants in the invitation-only event included 2Baba (2Face Idibia) from Nigeria and Trey Songz from the United States.[5]

Personal life

Over time, Namakula began a romantic relationship with Ugandan recording artist Eddy Kenzo.[6] On 26 December 2014, Namakula gave birth to a daughter at Paragon Hospital, in the Kampala neighborhood of Bugoloobi. Kenzo (real name Edrisa Musuuza), who has another daughter (Maya Musuuza) from a previous relationship,[6] acknowledged being the father and named the newborn Aamaal Musuuza.[7]

On 14 November 2019, Namakula introduced her new fiancé, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya, in a ceremony that took place at her home in Nabbingo, near Kampala. The introduction was a national affair, as thousands camped out along the procession route to her home.[8]

On 7 November 2021, Namakula welcomed her second child. A baby girl named Aaliyah Ssebunya.[9]

Partial discography

  • "Oli Wange"
  • "Katonotono"
  • "Lean On Me"
  • "Lowooza Kunze"
  • "Deep in Love"
  • "Muchuuzi"
  • "Atuuse"
  • "Kukaliba"
  • "Fire Tonight"
  • "Ceaze and Sekkle"
  • "Banyabo"[10]
  • "Loco" (featuring DJ Harold and Chike)
  • "Akaffe Che"

Music Awards

HiPipo Music Awards 2013: Won

  • Best HiPipo Charts Artist[11]
  • Best Breakthrough Artist[11]
  • Best Female Artist[11]
  • Best R&B Song, "Oli Wange"[11]

HiPipo Music Awards 2014: Won

  • Best female Artist of the Year[12]
  • Best female Artist (Dancehall)[12]
  • Best female RnB song – Kukaliba[12]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mites, Isaac (21 March 2015). "Rema Namakula Shares Her Biography". Kampala: Bigeye.ug (Big Eye Uganda). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Sean Musa Carter (12 July 2016). "Facts you Didn't Know About Rema Namakula". Kampala: Ugblizz.com. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ↑ UOWD (20 July 2013). "Bebe Cool Fires Rema Namakula from Gagamel". Kampala: Ugandaonline.net (UOWD). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  4. ↑ UTAMU Entertainment News (2016). "Singer Rema Namakula to represent Uganda in Coke Studio Africa Season 4". Kampala: Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  5. ↑ CCK (2016). "Rema Namakula Talks All Things Music, Success and Love: 5 Things About Rema Namakula". Coca Cola Kenya (CCK). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  6. 1 2 Kushaba, Duncan (23 June 2016). "You must respect Rema – Kenzo warns Ex". New Vision. Kampla. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. ↑ Matooke Republic (27 December 2014). "Kenzo confirms he is the father of Rema's baby, names her Aamaal". Kampala: Matooke Republic.
  8. ↑ Administrator (16 November 2019). "Rema: Was Buganda Culture Abused?". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  9. ↑ "Rema, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya welcome baby girl". Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  10. ↑ KDUG (8 April 2017). "Rema Namakula Releases "Banyabo" Music Video". Kampala: Koonadance.ug (KDUG). Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Kanaabi, Michael (11 February 2013). "Rema, Walukagga win big at HiPipo awards". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 Staff Writer (9 February 2014). "HiPipo Music Awards: Bebe Cool Scoops Six Accolades". Red Pepper. Mukono. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
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