Rema Namakula | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 24 April 1991 [1] Kampala, Uganda |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter producer |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Education | Kyambogo University |
| Spouse | Hamza Ssebunya (m. 2019) |
Rehema Namakula (born 24 April 1991), known professionally as Rema Namakula or simply Rema, is a Ugandan singer, songwriter and music producer. [2]
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, where she completed. [1]
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]
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]
HiPipo Music Awards 2013: Won
HiPipo Music Awards 2014: Won