Rema Namakula

For the Nigerian musician, see Rema (musician).

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

Rema Namakula
Born	(1991-04-24) April 24, 1991 (age 32)^[1] Kampala, Uganda
Occupation(s)	Singer, songwriter producer
Years active	2010–present
Education	Kyambogo University
Spouse	Hamza Ssebunya ​ (m. 2019)​

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. Mites, Isaac (21 March 2015). "Rema Namakula Shares Her Biography". Kampala: Bigeye.ug (Big Eye Uganda). Retrieved 6 October 2017.
2. 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. 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. Kanaabi, Michael (11 February 2013). "Rema, Walukagga win big at HiPipo awards". New Vision. Kampala. Retrieved 6 October 2017.
12. Staff Writer (9 February 2014). "HiPipo Music Awards: Bebe Cool Scoops Six Accolades". Red Pepper. Mukono. Retrieved 6 October 2017.