West Nile's finest gospel artist dies

Beatrace Gipatho, a.k.a Peace Beatrice, a celebrated gospel artist from West Nile has passed away.

Peace, 37, died of acute malaria on Friday at 2:30pm at Mulago Hospital.

She was also a teacher at Jupumwoco Primary School in Paidha, Zombo district.

The news of Peace's demise shocked the region and caused a social media frenzy.

Local FM stations in West Nile region also dedicated most of their airtime to playing her songs on Friday.

Linus Okecha, the Nebbi district chief finance officer, said the death of Peace is a big blow to the West Nile music industry.

"She was a great artiste who will always be remembered. She was arguably the best composer of Alur gospel music" said Okecha.

Pelegrine Otonga, the news editor at Lira's Radio Wa in a Facebook post said Peace's songs featured prominently on the radio station.

"In Lango on Radio Wa 89.8 FM her songs featured prominently during #HeartAndSoul with Gideon Omony. May Her Soul Rest in Peace" he said.

Born in 1979, Peace attended Oturugang Primary School before completing her O and A'Level at Angal Secondary School.

She later joined Arua Core Primary Teachers College, for a Grade III teacher's certificate.

Peace's interest in music was noticed during her primary school days.

She was an active choir participant and achieved fame as a leading soloist.

Peace however became a household name when she released her first album, ‘Iwango Iya Lii', which was followed by ‘Rwoth Tim Ira Kisa'.

At the time of her death, she had just finished a traditional marriage after the death of her first husband a decade ago.

Justine Olema, the head teacher Jupumwoco Primary School, said they have lost a great staff member who inspired many pupils with her music.

"She was so inspirational; many pupils were studying hard to become like her. Her loss has created a big gap, we are sad and mourning" Olema said.

He added that the body of the deceased will leave Kampala on Sunday for Paidha where it will later be taken to the school for public viewing.

He said burial will take place on Tuesday at her ancestral home in Angar, Alangi sub-county, Zombo district.