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

Background and education

Rema was born in

Lubaga Hospital Uganda Martyrs' Hospital Lubaga, commonly known as Lubaga Hospital, which was formerly named Rubaga Hospital, is a private, not-for-profit, community hospital in Kampala, the capital city of Uganda. Location The hospital is located on Lubaga ...

, on 24 April 1991, to the late Hamida Nabbosa and the late Mukiibi Ssemakula. 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 Kyambogo University (KYU) is a public university in Uganda. It is one of the eight public universities and degree-awarding institutions in the country with the motto, "Knowledge and Skills for Service." History Kyambogo University was establishe ...

. which she completed.

Career

During her Senior 6 vacation, she began singing

karaoke Karaoke (; ; , clipped compound of Japanese ''kara'' "empty" and ''ōkesutora'' "orchestra") is a type of interactive entertainment usually offered in clubs and bars, where people sing along to recorded music using a microphone. The music is ...

. Later, she became a back-up singer to another Ugandan female musician

Halima Namakula Halima Namakula (born January 1, 1960) is a Ugandan musician, actress, entrepreneur and humanitarian who in 2009 was nominated to represent Uganda in the Mrs. World beauty pageant. Acting Halima Namakula started her career as a stage actress wh ...

, who became her mentor. She continued her music career as a backup artist for Ugandan musician

Bebe Cool Bebe Cool (real name Moses Ssali; born 1 September 1977) is an African reggae and ragga musician from Uganda. He started his career around 1997 in Nairobi, Kenya, but moved back to his native country a few years later. Bebe Cool was one of the ...

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. In 2013 she released "Oli Wange" which was written by Nince Henry which made her popular in the music industry of Uganda. 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 Lydia Nabawanuka (born in Masaka in 1991) better known as Lydia Jazmine is a Ugandan female recording artist. Background and education She was born in Masaka in 1991. She attended Victoria Nile School for her elementary school. She then transf ...

Eddy Kenzo Edrisah Musuuza, known professionally as Eddy Kenzo, is a Grammy Nominated Ugandan singer and music executive who is a founder and a member of Big Talent Entertainment. He received international attention after the release of his 2014 single, " ...

and

Radio and Weasel Radio & Weasel is a Ugandan dynamic Duo under Goodlyfe Crew a Ugandan music group with lead performers being singers Moses Radio (born Moses Nakintije Ssekibogo) and easel Manizo(born Douglas Mayanja). Moses Radio provided smooth RnB vocals whi ...

. Other participants in the invitation-only event included

2Baba Innocent Ujah Idibia MON (born 18 September 1975), known by his stage name 2Baba, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Noted for his vocal range, lyrical depth, and longevity, he is widely regard ...

(2Face Idibia) from

Nigeria Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...

and

Trey Songz Tremaine Aldon Neverson (born November 28, 1984), known professionally as Trey Songz, is an American R&B singer and rapper. His debut album, '' I Gotta Make It'', was released in 2005 through Atlantic Records. His follow-up album, ''Trey Day'', ...

from the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

Personal life

Over time, Namakula began a romantic relationship with Ugandan recording artist

. On 26 December 2014, Namakula gave birth to a daughter at

Paragon Hospital Paragon Hospital, is a private, upscale, for-profit hospital in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. It is one of the five upscale private tertiary care hospitals in the city. Location The hospital sits on a site, in the neighborhood o ...

, in the Kampala neighborhood of

Bugoloobi Bugoloobi sometimes spelled as Bugolobi though incorrect, is a location in Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. It is a suburban neighborhood and some of the most valuable properties in Kampala are found here. It is among the most develop ...

. Kenzo (real name Edrisa Musuuza), who has another daughter (Maya Musuuza) from a previous relationship, acknowledged being the father and named the newborn Aamaal Musuuza. On 14 November 2019, Namakula introduced her new fiancé, Dr. Hamza Ssebunya, in a ceremony that took place at her home in

Nabbingo Nabbingo is a hill in Wakiso District in the Buganda Region of Uganda. The hill rises above sea level. The name "Nabbingo", also applies to the village that occupies the hill and the schools and churches that are located there. Location Nabbi ...

, near Kampala. The introduction was a national affair, as thousands camped out along the procession route to her home. On 7 November 2021, Namakula welcomed her second child. A baby girl named Aaliyah Ssebunya.

Partial discography

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

Music Awards

HiPipo Music Awards 2013: Won * Best HiPipo Charts Artist * Best Breakthrough Artist * Best Female Artist * Best R&B Song, "Oli Wange" HiPipo Music Awards 2014: Won *Best female Artist of the Year *Best female Artist (Dancehall) *Best female RnB song – Kukaliba

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rema 1991 births Ganda people Living people Ugandan songwriters 21st-century Ugandan women singers Kyambogo University alumni Ugandan women musicians People from Central Region, Uganda Ugandan musicians