Meet the judges of National Martyrs Choral Festival

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#MartyrsChoralFestival

The National Martyrs Choral Festival is set to take place this Saturday (May 31) at Serena Conference Centre in Kampala. Choirs from across the country will gather to honour Uganda's martyrs through sacred music ahead of the Uganda Martyrs' Day. At the heart of this festival is a panel of five respected judges, each bringing years of experience in music performance, education and composition. Their role will be to guide, assess and celebrate the choral talent presented during the festival.

Meet the judges 👇🏽
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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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