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East Africa has once again reaffirmed its place as a driving force in the continent’s music industry, with some of the region’s biggest stars earning nominations for the 2026 African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA), scheduled to take place on September 12, 2026, in Dallas, Texas, USA.

Tanzania continues to dominate East Africa’s presence at this year’s awards, with Juma Jux, Diamond Platnumz, Lavalava, Abigail Chams, and Zuchu earning multiple nominations.

They are joined by Uganda’s Eddy Kenzo and Kenya’s Bien, Nikita Kering, Njerae and Nameless, among other East African talents shaping this year’s list.

They feature alongside some of Africa’s biggest names overall, including Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tems, Rema, Ayra Starr, Tyla, Asake, BNXN, and Black Sherif, underscoring another landmark year for African music’s global reach, and for East Africa’s growing share of it.

This year’s list also marks a return, after a two-year hiatus; AFRIMMA is back, expanding beyond the awards ceremony into the AFRIMMA Music Festival, with live performances, cultural showcases, and immersive experiences alongside the nominations.

Speaking on the comeback, Founder and Executive Producer Anderson Obiagwu, known as Big A, said the break has made the awards even bigger.

For the last two years, AFRIMMA took a break to make it even bigger. This year we’re coming back as a full festival, not just an awards night, bigger stages, bigger names, a bigger celebration. We remain committed to championing African music and the incredible talents driving it.

For East African artists and fans, AFRIMMA’s return means a bigger stage than ever to see the region’s stars recognized alongside the continent’s biggest names and a reason to watch Dallas this September.

The post Eddy Kenzo Joins East African Stars With Multiple Nominations at AFRIMMA 2026 appeared first on MBU.

As the countdown to the Miss Universe Uganda final ticks, Sureya Umeimah is proving that some dreams are meant to soar. While she has captured the attention of pageant fans with her confidence and poise, it is her ambition to become a commercial pilot that has made her story truly remarkable.

In a profession where women remain significantly underrepresented, Sureya is determined to help rewrite the narrative, showing young girls that the flight deck is just as much their place as anyone else’s.

For Sureya, aviation represents more than a career; it is a symbol of courage, perseverance, and limitless possibility.

Every step she takes towards earning her wings is another step towards inspiring girls across Uganda to dream without boundaries and pursue careers they may once have believed were beyond their reach.

That vision is closely tied to her advocacy. Sureya passionately promotes keeping girls in school and encouraging them to embrace STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

She believes these subjects equip young women with the skills and confidence to excel in industries such as aviation, engineering and technology, opening doors to opportunities that can transform lives.

Sureya carries a message that extends far beyond the competition. Whether in the cockpit or on the pageant stage, she is proving that determination, education and self-belief can take young women to extraordinary heights.

With supporters eagerly awaiting the finale, many believe Sureya isn’t just chasing a crown; she is inspiring a generation of girls to look up, dream bigger and discover that the sky is only the beginning.

The post Breaking Barriers: Sureya Umeimah Is Inspiring a New Generation of Female Aviators appeared first on MBU.

Spice Diana has revealed that she doesn’t have a bond with her father and why it’s easier for her to help random people on the streets than him.

While on Bukedde TV, Spice Diana revealed that she only met her father after so many years while performing on stage.

A man approached her, gave her money, and left, but she remembered an image of him from many years ago, and they later communicated, including a visit she made to his home.

However, despite all, Spice Diana says she realised they do not have a special bond that children have with their fathers, and they both settled to continue living their lives away from each other.

I was performing on stage, and a man approached the stage. I have this picture of him in my head from many years ago when I went to him to request my sister’s school fees when she was in P.7, and he didn’t provide. That is the last picture of him I had, but I recognized him. He gave me money on stage and left. He waited for me, and after my performance, I gave him time, and we had a brief chat. I shared my number, and he called me after some time. We had a chat, and we both remained in our respective lives. When I got time, I went and visited him. In my Spice Diana era, I have visited him twice, but there is no bond between us.

Spice Diana also responded to critics who claim she hasn’t helped his father to better his life, yet she continues to help people she randomly meets every day.

I forgave both my dads, and I don’t hold grudges in my heart, but when someone decides to live their life, let him be. I grew up with strangers, and I will always help those I find on the streets because they raised me and showed me love, and made me who I am.

The post Why Spice Diana finds it easier to help strangers than her own father appeared first on MBU.

Irene Namatovu has defended parents who choose to educate their children abroad, saying the decision should not be viewed as a display of wealth but as a long-term sacrifice made for their children’s future.

Speaking about the recent graduation of her daughter, Patra, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Aston University in Birmingham, United Kingdom, Namatovu said the achievement was made possible through years of careful financial planning and personal sacrifice.

She explained that parents often have to reduce their own spending to invest in their children’s education.

You decide to eat 50k from 100k so that the child gets a good life. We have worked for a long time, we have been saving for our children. If the child helps you and they focus on the education, it’s a good investment.

The singer also opened up about the emotional challenges of having a child study far from home. Namatovu admitted that it was difficult watching her daughter leave at a young age, saying the distance and concerns about her safety often left her overwhelmed with emotion.

“I would ask myself why I did it because she left young and all the risks out there,” Namatovu revealed, adding that she frequently cried as she adjusted to being separated from her daughter.

Despite the emotional toll, she believes the sacrifices were worthwhile, as they have given her daughter the opportunity to build a brighter future.

The post Irene Namatovu defends parents sending children abroad for education appeared first on MBU.

Irene Namatovu has advised young women to avoid making a habit of checking their partners’ phones, saying the practice only brings unnecessary stress and anxiety in relationships.

Speaking on Allan Cruz’s podcast, Namatovu revealed that she used to go through her husband Geoffrey Lutaaya’s phone during the early years of their marriage. However, with time and experience, she realized it was a habit that caused more harm than good.

Back then I used to be very curious, but many people go through those steps. They are torturous, and I tell young girls going into marriage not to do it because it will disturb you.

The singer explained that curiosity is common among younger couples, as many women want to know where their partners are and who they are communicating with.

However, she believes maturity changes one’s perspective, making trust more important than constantly seeking answers through a phone.

According to Namatovu, she has reached a point where checking Geoffrey Lutaaya’s phone no longer interests her, even if it is left unlocked.

“Even if I find it without a password, it’s pointless now. I even leave mine next to his and go do other things,” she added, encouraging couples to build trust instead of living in constant suspicion.

The post Stop checking your partners’ phones – Irene Namatovu advises young women appeared first on MBU.

Pastor Martin Ssempa has revealed that he voluntarily renounced his United States citizenship, saying he faced intense pressure and legal challenges following his outspoken stance against LGBTQ rights.

Speaking about the difficult period, Ssempa claimed he was reported to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and faced complaints in a US federal court.

He said the pressure became so overwhelming that he decided to give up his American citizenship, a move he described as one of the hardest decisions of his life.

In my thinking, I realised I had to renounce my American citizenship and I went to the USA embassy and renounced my citizenship. My wife and mother-in-law were crying and other people at the embassy.

Most people lie to get the USA citizenship but me I went and stripped it. After that, I went into hiding for like two years.

The pastor further alleged that lawyer Nicholas Opiyo, academic and activist Stella Nyanzi, and others made accusations against him that damaged his reputation and turned public opinion against him.

He claimed there was a reward of $10,000 offered for information about his whereabouts, prompting him to fear for his family’s safety.

According to Ssempa, he instructed his children to go into hiding at their grandfather’s home because he feared they could be targeted to force him out of hiding.

He described the period as one in which he lived “like a fugitive,” saying it was an extremely difficult chapter in his life. Ssempa’s claims have not been independently verified, and the individuals he named have not publicly responded to these specific allegations.

The post Ssempa claims ICC report and legal battles led him to give up US citizenship appeared first on MBU.