Judith Babirye is a

Ugandan Demographic features of the population of Uganda include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and others. Population According to the total population was in , comp ...

gospel musician and

politician A politician is a person who participates in Public policy, policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles ...

. She is a senior pastor at ''New Life Deliverance Church'', located in

Makindye Division Makindye Division is one of the five administrative divisions of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, and the largest city in that country. The city's five divisions are: (a) Kampala Central Division (b) Kawempe Division (c) Lubaga Division (d) Maki ...

, in the southeastern part of

Kampala Kampala (, ) is the Capital city, capital and largest city of Uganda. The city proper has a population of 1,875,834 (2024) and is divided into the five political divisions of Kampala Central Division, Kampala, Kawempe Division, Kawempe, Makindy ...

, Uganda's capital city. She also served as the elected Member of Parliament representing Buikwe District Women Constituency in the 10th Parliament (2016–2021).

Early life and education

Babirye was born in Nyenga,

Buikwe District Buikwe District is a district in the Central Region of Uganda. It is named after its 'chief town', Buikwe, where the district headquarters are located. Location Buikwe District is bordered by Kayunga District to the north, Jinja District to ...

, to Mr and Mrs Mukooza, on 23 September 1977. She attended ''Nalinya Lwantale Primary School'' in

Luweero District Luweero District (also spelled as Luwero) is a Districts of Uganda, district in the Central Region, Uganda, Central Region of Uganda. Luweero is the site of the district headquarters. Location Luweero District is bordered by Nakasongola District ...

. She studied at ''Ndejje Senior School'' for her O-Level education and at Iganga Secondary School for her A-Level studies, graduating with a

High School Diploma A high school diploma (sometimes referred to as a high school degree) is a diploma awarded upon graduation of high school A secondary school, high school, or senior school, is an institution that provides secondary education. Some secondary s ...

in 1998. She was admitted to

Makerere University Makerere University (; Mak) is Uganda's largest and oldest institution of higher learning, first established as a technical school in 1922, and the oldest currently active university in East Africa. It became an independent national university in ...

, Uganda's oldest and largest

public university A public university, state university, or public college is a university or college that is State ownership, owned by the state or receives significant funding from a government. Whether a national university is considered public varies from o ...

, where she graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism degree.

Music

When she was in Senior Two at Ndejje Secondary School, Babirye won the music composition festivals in which they were tasked to compose the school anthem. At Iganga, she also composed the school anthem sparking off her musical career. Her debut song, "Beera Nange", won the best gospel single in the 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards. She has had hits like "Wambatira", "Omusaayi gwa Yesu", "Ekitibwa kyo Mukama" and "Maama".

Personal life

Babirye was married to Niiwo with whom they have a daughter. However, in January 2017, she filed for divorce. She later married Paul Musoke Sebulime, on 28 July 2018, in a traditional ceremony.

Discography

Songs

Albums

Awards and recognition

*Best gospel single, "Beera nange", in the 2006 Pearl of Africa Music Awards. *Album of the year in Victoria Gospel Music Awards (VIGA),2007.

Family

In 2005, Judith Babirye was married to Samuel Niwo and became the parents of one daughter circa 2006. They separated in 2009. In January 2017, Babirye filed for divorce. In 2018 she married Paul Musoke Ssebulime, at that time the MP representing

Buikwe Buikwe, sometimes spelled Buyikwe, is a town in Buikwe District, Uganda. It is the administrative center of the district and the location of the district headquarters. Location Buikwe is approximately east of Kampala, Uganda's capital and large ...

North Constituency. It was the second

marriage Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

for each of them.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Babirye, Judith Living people 1977 births 21st-century Ugandan women singers Ganda people Ugandan gospel musicians Makerere University alumni People from Buikwe District Members of the 10th Parliament of Uganda Ganda women