Rema Namakula
Ugandan singer

Rema Namakula
Background information
Born (1991-04-24) 24 April 1991 (age 34)[1]
Kampala, Uganda
OccupationsSinger, songwriter producer
Years active2010–present
EducationKyambogo University
Spouse
Hamza Ssebunya
​
(m. 2019)​
Musical artist

Rehema Namakula (born 24 April 1991), known professionally as Rema Namakula or simply Rema, is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, and music producer.[2]

Early life 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.[3] She studied at Saint Balikudembe Senior Secondary School for both O-Level and A-Level studies.[4] Later, she joined Kyambogo University, where she completed. [1]

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][5] 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.[6] Other participants in the invitation-only event included 2Baba (2Face Idibia) from Nigeria and Trey Songz from the United States.[7]

Personal life

Over time, Namakula began a romantic relationship with Ugandan recording artist Eddy Kenzo.[8] 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,[8] acknowledged being the father and named the newborn Aamaal Musuuza.[9]

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.[10] The introduction was a national affair, as thousands camped out along the procession route to her home.[11]

On 7 November 2021, Namakula welcomed her second child. A baby girl named Aaliyah Ssebunya.[12]

Partial discography

  • "Oli Wange"
  • "Katonotono"
  • "Lean On Me"
  • "Lowooza Kunze"
  • "Deep in Love"
  • "Muchuuzi"
  • "Atuuse"
  • "Kukaliba"
  • "Fire Tonight"
  • "Ceaze and Sekkle"
  • "Banyabo"[13]
  • "Loco" (featuring DJ Harold and Chike)
  • "Akaffe Che"
  • "Tonyt"
  • "Love Commisioner"[14]

Music awards

HiPipo Music Awards 2013: Won

  • Best HiPipo Charts Artist[15]
  • Best Breakthrough Artist[15]
  • Best Female Artist[15]
  • Best R&B Song, "Oli Wange"[15]

HiPipo Music Awards 2014: Won

  • Best female Artist of the Year[16]
  • Best female Artist (Dancehall)[16]
  • Best female RnB song – Kukaliba[16]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Mites, Isaac (21 March 2015). "Rema Namakula Shares Her Biography". Kampala: Bigeye.ug (Big Eye Uganda). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Sean Musa Carter (12 July 2016). "Facts you Didn't Know About Rema Namakula". Kampala: Ugblizz.com. Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  3. ^ "Know your celeb: Who is Rema Namakula?". Pulse Uganda. 25 September 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Rema Namakula's Biography: Age, family, education, career, discography, awards". Pulse Uganda. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  5. ^ UOWD (20 July 2013). "Bebe Cool Fires Rema Namakula from Gagamel". Kampala: Ugandaonline.net (UOWD). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  6. ^ UTAMU Entertainment News (2016). "Singer Rema Namakula to represent Uganda in Coke Studio Africa Season 4". Kampala: Uganda Technology and Management University (UTAMU). Archived from the original on 7 October 2017. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  7. ^ CCK (2016). "Rema Namakula Talks All Things Music, Success and Love: 5 Things About Rema Namakula". Coca Cola Kenya (CCK). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  8. ^ a b Kushaba, Duncan (23 June 2016). "You must respect Rema – Kenzo warns Ex". New Vision. Kampla. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  9. ^ Matooke Republic (27 December 2014). "Kenzo confirms he is the father of Rema's baby, names her Aamaal". Kampala: Matooke Republic.
  10. ^ Reporter, NewVision (16 November 2022). "Ent. & Lifestyle: Rema Namakula, Sebunya mark four years of marriage". New Vision. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  11. ^ Administrator (16 November 2019). "Rema: Was Buganda Culture Abused?". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Rema, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya welcome baby girl". Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  13. ^ KDUG (8 April 2017). "Rema Namakula Releases "Banyabo" Music Video". Kampala: Koonadance.ug (KDUG). Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017.
  14. ^ Reporter, NewVision (25 May 2024). "Ent. & Lifestyle: Music Review: Love Commissioner – Rema ft David Lutalo". New Vision. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d Kanaabi, Michael (11 February 2013). "Rema, Walukagga win big at HiPipo awards". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
  16. ^ a b c Staff Writer (9 February 2014). "HiPipo Music Awards: Bebe Cool Scoops Six Accolades". Red Pepper. Mukono. Archived from the original on 4 May 2025. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
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