D-DAY: Six choirs made the final cut — who will reign supreme?

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 GRAND FINALE 

EVENT: National Martyrs' Choral Festival grand finale
VENUE: Kampala Serena Conference Centre
DATE:  Today (Saturday) at 2:00pm
ENTRY: Ordinary - sh50,000 | VIP (Table of 8) - sh2 million
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It all comes down to this day. Six choirs, one ultimate winner! Today (May 31), all roads lead to Kampala Serena Conference Centre in Uganda's capital Kampala for the grand finale of the National Martyrs’ Choral Festival, where six finalists (three Catholic and three Anglican choirs) will sing for the top prize. But, having all made the cut for the final, they all remain winnners — regardless of today's outcome.

The finalists are:

▪️ St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir
▪️ All Saints Choir
▪️ Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SS Kasawo Choir
▪️ The Shepherd’s Choir
▪️ Morning Glory Choir
▪️ Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship Choir

The National Martyrs’ Choral Festival is one of Uganda’s most soul-stirring musical journeys — a celebration that brings together choirs from across the country to honour the legacy of the Uganda Martyrs through spirit-filled songs. 

Launched in 2024 by multimedia company Vision Group, the festival opens its arms to all Christian choirs, offering a rare stage where faith meets artistry and harmony meets purpose. 

From dusty parish halls to grand cathedrals, choirs have battled it out in regional contests, all for a chance to shine at the ultimate showdown: the national finale at the luxurious Serena Conference Centre in Kampala for the second edition. This year, the stage is bigger. The choirs even more refined.

To make the experience even more delightful than the first edition, sponsors have come on board. These include Equity Bank, Centenary Bank, National Social Security Fund, Pepsi and the Uganda Revenue Authority.

With the grand finale set for today (Saturday, May 31), the air is electric with anticipation. But this isn’t just another concert — it’s a joyful collision of voices, visions, and victories. These choirs are more than groups of singers; they are living stories, stitched together by shared faith and a love for music. 

You know their names already. Now, let us present to you the profiles of the six finalists who have sung their way into the national spotlight... 

 THE CATHOLIC THREE 

St Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir

Birthed in 1990 by the visionary Msgr. Wynard Katende, who simply couldn’t bear the silence of an evening Mass, the St. Charles Lwanga Lubaga Cathedral Choir began as a spirited youth movement with one goal: to uplift hearts through music. 

With early champions like Ivan Kalanzi and music maestro George Ssebutinde, the choir found its rhythm — and a mission:  “Evangelize through your talents.” 

Since then, it has grown from a youthful chorus into an inclusive cathedral powerhouse, welcoming all who can sing, play, or serve with a joyful heart.

Today, they hold down the fort at the 5:00pm Sunday Mass like seasoned pros, bringing heavenly harmony to both moments of praise and times of sorrow. Whether strumming traditional instruments or soaring through Western choral arrangements, this choir is not just about performance — it’s about purpose. And when they sing, even the cathedral walls lean in to listen.

All Saints Choir, Christ the King Catholic Parish – Arua Diocese

Tucked within the prayerful pulse of Christ the King Catholic Parish in Arua lies a choral gem that has been lifting hearts and hymns since 1992 — All Saints Choir. 

Once known as the First Mass Choir, the group was given its current name by Msgr. Dr Cosmas Alule, who saw not just singers, but saints in the making. Now 120 members strong, this choir has blossomed under the guidance of spiritually grounded and forward-thinking leaders, making it a pillar of musical ministry in the Arua Diocese.

With the motto “Praise God, now and forever,” All Saints Choir sings not just to perform, but to transform. Their mission is to be a model of liturgical excellence, grounded in faith and fuelled by harmony. Each note is a prayer, each rehearsal a pilgrimage — and when they take the stage, they don’t just fill the room with sound, they fill it with soul.

Our Lady Seat of Wisdom SS Kasawo Choir – Lugazi Diocese

From the scenic hills of Mukono district, nestled within the faith-filled halls of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Ssecondary School, Kasawo, comes a choir that sings with the energy of youth and the wisdom of tradition. 

This is no ordinary school choir — it’s a spirited extension of a Catholic-founded institution that has spent the past 25 years nurturing not just students, but well-rounded individuals of faith, intellect, and talent. Under the steady guidance of Rev. Fr. Ssenkooto John and the watchful pastoral care of Rt. Rev. Bishop Christopher Kakooza, the school has become a fertile ground where voices bloom in harmony and purpose.

The choir — a lively mosaic of disciplined teens with hearts on fire for God — has climbed the ranks from diocesan stages to inter-diocesan triumphs within the Central Ecclesiastical Province. When they sing, they do more than perform; they carry the soul of their school and parish with pride. It might only take parenting and faith to get a child through the gates of Kasawo, but to produce a sound this rich? That takes prayer, practice, and a whole lot of youthful zeal.

 THE ANGLICAN THREE 

The Shepherd’s Choir of St. Augustine Church of Uganda – Barogole, Lira City, Diocese of Lango

From the breezy northern town of Lira comes a choir that knows its hymnals like fish know water — The Shepherd’s Choir of St. Augustine COU. Formed in 1984 and still faithfully anchoring the 10:00am Sunday service, this ensemble has long been the golden thread in the musical tapestry of the Diocese of Lango. 

Under the able spiritual leadership of Rev. Can. Capt. Moses Peter Ocweo and the baton of seasoned Music Director, Julius Peter Ocari Dyangcal, the choir is a well-oiled machine of melodic precision and spiritual depth. Peter Olet lends his skilled support as assistant director, keeping the choir vocally sharp and scripturally grounded.

These aren’t your average Sunday singers — the members are driven by a shared mission to uphold the highest standards of music ministry, backed by self-taught dedication, vocal training, and a spirit of sacrifice. Their resume reads like a continental tour: five-time performers at the International Hymn Festivals across East Africa, and regulars at Uganda’s most prominent ecumenical music events.

The Shepherd’s Choir will lead the Anglican Shrine Martyrs Day celebrations at Namugongo — a true northern triumph. With Colossians 3:16 etched into their hearts, they do not just sing the Gospel — they live it, one perfectly blended harmony at a time.

Morning Glory Choir – St. Apollo Kivebulaya Church of Uganda, Entebbe

Rising with the sun and filling the dawn with song, the Morning Glory Choir from St Apollo Kivebulaya Church in Abayita Ababiri is as radiant as its name suggests. Founded in November 1997 to animate the early morning Anglican service, this choir is the musical equivalent of a warm sunrise — soothing, faithful, and full of life. 

Beginning with just 20 choristers, their mission was clear: blend timeless Anglican classics with modern gospel flavour to reach hearts across generations. With a choir baton that has passed through four capable hands — from Stephen Kalere to today’s Brian Yokaana Katimbo — the ensemble has grown into a treasured voice within Namirembe Diocese’s Entebbe Archdeaconry.

But it’s not just about waking up the faithful — Morning Glory Choir has made its mark far beyond the parish pews. Known especially for their stunning mastery of psalms, they have recorded over 20 classical pieces on YouTube, carving out a niche as online ambassadors of sacred sound. 

Their gratitude to founding members and mentors like Enock Bugembe, who elevated their recording game and trained fresh voices from scratch, is testament to their ethos: to glorify God through disciplined harmony, intergenerational mentorship, and a passion that never sleeps in.

Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship Choir – All Saints Cathedral, Kampala

Every first Sunday of the month, the towering spires of All Saints Cathedral Kampala echo with the warm tones of Toro heritage, as the faithful from Rwenzori Diocese living in the capital gather to pray, praise, and reconnect with their roots.

Yet, for over two decades, their fellowship lacked something vital — a dedicated choir to lift their voices in Runyoro-Rutooro. That changed in 2022 when five spirited members decided it was time the music matched the message. Enter the Rwenzori Diocese Kampala Fellowship (RKF) Choir — a young, vibrant, and fast-rising ensemble that’s already tuning hearts and winning accolades.

Under the inspired leadership of Lillian Nyarwa and the musical training of Grade Three pianist Sam Sioga, the choir has grown to 25 determined voices, with a bold mission: to enrich worship and raise musical standards while staying true to the language and spirit of their homeland. 

Whether translating beloved hymns into Runyoro-Rutooro or performing at national events — from Vision Group carols to the golden jubilee of Hon. Amama Mbabazi — this choir has proven it can stand shoulder to shoulder with Uganda’s best. 

Their third-place finish at the inaugural National Martyrs’ Choir Competition in 2024? Just the beginning. When RKF Choir sings, Toro doesn’t just echo — it soars.

Be sure to make a date with Serena Conference Centre today (May 31) and witness Ugandan musical history unfolding.

 MEET THE JUDGES 

At the heart of this festival is a panel of five respected judges, who will be tasked with choosing the best of the best.

And with each bringing years of experience in music performance, education and composition, this panel's role will be to guide, assess and celebrate the choral talent presented during today's festival. Between them, they have enough musical wisdom to fill a cathedral and enough experience to spot a missed beat from a mile away. 

Here they are ... 👇🏽
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 DR MILTON WABYONA 

Dr Wabyona is a respected composer and music educator. He holds a PhD in music education from Texas Tech University, USA. He also earned a master's degree in composition from the University of Kansas, USA and a bachelor's degree from Makerere University.

Wabyona teaches music and traditional dance at Makerere University and leads the university's community choir, Makorale.

He is the founder of Uganda Heritage Roots, which supports vulnerable youth through folk arts. His composition "The Drum Call" won a regional award in 2017. He also serves on international music education boards across Africa and beyond.
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 RACHAEL AYIKORU 

Ayikoru is a passionate music teacher with years of experience in nurturing young talent. She formerly taught at Bishop Cipriano Kihangire Secondary School in Luzira, where she helped build a strong choral tradition.

Ayikoru holds a bachelor's degree in music from Makerere University and is currently pursuing a master's degree in music at Kyambogo University. Her academic journey reflects a deep commitment to growing both personally and professionally in the field of music.

As a judge, Ayikoru brings practical experience from the classroom and a thoughtful understanding of music performance and education.
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 MAYAMBALA KIZITO 

Kizito is a seasoned Catholic music director and composer with 34 years of dedicated service. He has composed over 100 choral works and arrangements and he was recently selected to revise the Buganda Kingdom Anthem in 2023.

Kizito has trained more than 60 Catholic choirs across Uganda, building strong choral foundations in churches and communities.

With 28 years as a music adjudicator and 40 years as a choral performer, his experience and knowledge make him one of the most respected figures in church music today.
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 LYDIA NAMATOVU 

Namatovu is a dedicated teacher with strong experience in choral music. She has worked extensively in composing, training, directing and judging choirs.

Namatovu is currently furthering her studies in music education at Uganda Martyrs University, Nkozi, a step that reflects her commitment to both learning and teaching. She belongs to the Catholic Diocese of Kasana, with her home parish in Kitagobwa.

Her deep involvement in church music and education makes her a valuable voice on the judging panel of the National Martyrs' Choral Festival.
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 JOSEPH BATTE 

Batte is a veteran music journalist, music arranger, critic and vocal coach with over 20 years of experience. He is known for pioneering music reviewing in Ugandan media, shaping public understanding of music through his work with New Vision and various television shows.

Batte created and produced programmes like Akasengejja on Bukedde TV and State of the Arts on Urban TV, helping to promote Ugandan musicians. 

His father, Edmund Batte, composed the famous Martyrs' hymn Bewaayo and his uncle George Kakoma wrote Uganda's national anthem.
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See you at Serena Conference Centre!