Uganda is celebrating after Praise Wisdom, a Senior Five student at London College of St. Lawrence, won the 16th edition of CRDB Bongo Star Search 2026, one of East Africa’s biggest music talent competitions.
Praise beat more than 70 contestants from across Africa during the competition, which ended with a grand finale in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Her powerful vocals and confident performances helped her claim the top prize.
Her victory earned her TZS 50 million and a brand-new Mazda CX-3, marking a major milestone in her music career.
Praise balanced school with months of competition, showing determination and discipline throughout the journey. She first auditioned in Kenya before joining the competition camp in Tanzania, where she spent more than three months competing for the title.
Her success has made her one of Uganda’s fastest-rising young singers and brought pride to London College of St. Lawrence.
The win also shines a spotlight on Uganda’s growing music talent. It shows that young Ugandan artists can compete against some of East Africa’s best performers and come out on top.
As Praise continues her education, many fans believe this victory is only the beginning of what could become a successful career in music.