Halima Namakula: A Ugandan Music Icon and Humanitarian

Halima Namakula, a celebrated Ugandan musician, rose to prominence in the late 1990s with her hit song Ekimbeewo. The track, recorded unexpectedly during a studio mishap while accompanying her son, became an instant success, launching her music career despite her initial reluctance to pursue singing. Known for her timeless beauty at 57, she credits her youthful appearance to happiness, healthy living, and her background in beauty and modeling.

After spending much of her adult life in the United States, Namakula returned to Uganda after more than two decades to care for her aging mother. In 2003, she established Women at Work International (WAWI), a charity dedicated to empowering women and girls, later expanding its support to include boys. Through WAWI, she has assisted over 200 former sex workers in rebuilding their lives and actively promoted family planning initiatives.

Her passion for humanitarian work also led her to advocate for fistula awareness. In 2012, she partnered with Dr. Sherry Thomas to provide treatment for 141 affected women, later organizing Uganda’s first Fistula Walk in 2013 to raise awareness.

As a devoted mother to four biological children and several adopted ones, Namakula treasures motherhood, drawing inspiration from her own mother’s nurturing spirit.

Born and raised in Kalerwe, her journey was marked by hardships, including becoming a mother at 15 and leaving school. She later resumed her education in the USA after reuniting with her husband but faced challenges following his passing in 1994. Though she no longer releases new music, Namakula remains a beloved figure, using her influence to support humanitarian causes. She hopes to leave a lasting legacy through her contributions to Uganda’s social development.