Levixone, Pastor Bugembe, Julie Mutesasira top VIGA awards
Pastor Wilson Bugeme’s song Daala won the overall song of the year award, Levixone was awarded male artist of the year and Julie Mutesasira was named female artist of the year.
The fourth edition of Victoria Gospel Academy (VIGA) awards saw gospel artists and producers recognized and rewarded.
Church music in Uganda has evolved over the years and is no longer a preserve of only staunch Christians but also the secular people.
The number of gospel artists is growing and many have become household names in the music industry.
Winner in reggae category, Coopybly gives his acceptance speech
On Saturday at an awards ceremony held at Imperial Royale hotel Kampala, gospel artists and producers were recognized in over 20 categories.
The ceremony went on till late in the night.
Pastor Wilson Bugeme's song Daala won the overall song of the year award, Levixone emerged as the the male artist of the year and Julie Mutesasira was the Female artist of the year.
The Canaan Gents receive their award for the best Acapella
Others awarded include:
Acapella category: Canaan Gents - Wanitata
Traditional music Category: Betty Muwanguzi - Yagala Uganda
Hiphop/Rap Category: Virtuous woman - New Testament
Dancehall/Ragga Category: Robin San - Simple life
RnB/Jazz/Soul Category: Brian Lubega - Asaanide
Betty Muwanguzi won in the Traditional music category
Kadongo kamu Category: Kaggwa Edward Frances - Enyambala
Reggae Category: Coopybly - Nkulembeera Mukama
Afropop/Beat; Kwaito category: Irene Kayondo - Asinga
Afristyle/Soukous/Zouk category: Rachel Namubiru - Teri Akwenkana
Diaspora song /artist (for Ugandan artists based outside Uganda): The Bahatizz
Techno/House and Rock category: Holy Keane- Love Love
Pastor Mondo Mugisha (R) addresses artists during the VIGA awards ceremony
Video Producer Category: Enock - Cloud media
Audio Producer Category: Kiwa Jason
Worship/praise song category: Justine Nabbosa - Oli Katonda
Inspirational song category: Judith Babirye - Sitarudi
Video of the year (for works that acclaim immense popularity): Coopybly- What a love
Best performer (for artists who exhibit great proficiency at performances): Betty Bada
Elgon song category: Stephen Adhogomola- Oli munene
Kaggwa Edwards Frances (R) with his family members after he in the won the Kadongo Kamu category
Exemplary theme category (commendable non-gospel positive message songs): Betty Nakibuuka- Mama
Special entity song/artist (for ‘secular' artist with the best gospel song): Lyto Boss ft Solome Mirembe/ Omwetaaga
Upcoming/New talent: Patty Baligasima
Social media song/artist (for best promoted and marketed on social media i.e. Facebook, twitter, youtube, downloads, etc) : Canaan Gents
Collaboration song: Dangelo Busuulwa & Judith babirye/ Waliwo ensonga
Male artist of the year: Levixone
Female artist of the year: Julie Mutesasira
Song of the year: Wilson Bugembe- Daala