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

Background and education[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

• "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[edit]

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[edit]