FLORENCE Namutebi, a P.6 pupil of Elimu Primary School, Kawempe-Katooke, is attracting massive support after her recent victory at the Victoria Gospel Music Awards (VIGA). <br>
By Mathias Mazinga
FLORENCE Namutebi, a P.6 pupil of Elimu Primary School, Kawempe-Katooke, is attracting massive support after her recent victory at the Victoria Gospel Music Awards (VIGA).
Namasuba Perfect Music Recording Studio has offered to make audio and video recordings of her songs for free. Prominent Kampala designers, Isabel and Hannington Katarikawe have also pledged to dress her, at all her concert-performances.
“No doubt, the young girl has the talent. We have the social responsibility to nurture young talents for the greater development of Gospel music in our country,†Katarikawe remarked.
The 11-year-old gospel crooner won the VIGA Best Live Single/Group with her song, Mukama Nkwebaza.
Her parents, Justine and Andrew Wamala say the young girl started singing at the age of 4. She would mimic the choristers after Sunday services. Later she started composing her own songs, which she sang for her family.
Her father decided to take her to gospel concerts, where she admired celebrated singers like Fr. Anthony Musaala and Fiona Mukasa.
She was also challenged by the musical activity of Baby Gloria, Betty Nakibuuka’s daughter — the reason she decided to take part in the gospel music competition. Despite her tender age, Namutebi has an incredible repertoire of about fifteen songs.
The most popular ones include Abafumbo, Ani Oyo Annyamba, Yezu Gwensinza, Lwaki Mwekubagiza, Yezu Gyangu Omwange, Jesus is With Me and Abato.
Namutebi, who is also a talented calypso dancer, is the last born in a family of four, three of whom are boys.