Levixone, Pastor Bugembe, Julie Mutesasira top VIGA awards

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