Long before she embraced ministry, Omumbejja Sheila Nvannungi was one of the familiar faces and voices in Uganda’s entertainment industry.
The Buganda royal built a name for herself as a respected radio personality and musician, earning widespread recognition during the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Today, however, her life looks very different.
Speaking publicly, Nvannungi said she has found peace in serving God, dismissing claims that she left music because of problems at home or pressure from her husband.
Instead, she explained that stepping away from the entertainment industry was a personal decision driven by her desire to focus on ministry.
The former singer also dismissed reports that her husband stopped her from pursuing music, saying he has always supported her career and continues to encourage her.
Nvannungi went on to address speculation surrounding her trip to Europe, clarifying that she traveled there for ministry work rather than to look for employment, as some people had claimed.
She urged the public to stop spreading information they cannot verify and to respect the personal choices she has made regarding her faith, family, and career.
Kalifah AgaNaga’s TikTok-revived song ‘Nassanga’ gets a star-studded remix while rising artists break the shell with brand new music. We look at the five hot new Ugandan music videos:
Ndabilawa – Jenesis Kimera, Echoled
Two of Uganda’s most underrated talented artists, arguably, link up on this brand new love song, Ndabilawa – a confession of the excitement you get when you finally see your loved one after a long while.
The word play, the vocals, the visuals – everything is correctly executed for your enjoyment. Beautiful music.
Kalifah AgaNaga teams up with Eddy Kenzo, Winnie Nwagi, Lil Pazo, and Weasel to deliver the official Nassanga Anthem (Remix). Enjoy this powerful collaboration.
My Man – Winnie wa Mummy
Written by Dokta Brain, Winnie wa Mummy’s new song ‘My Man’ praises her partner. The Kings Love Entertainment singer showcases her acting skills in the visuals.
I Do – Kanyere
Kanyere’s vocals on ‘I Do’ (Produced by MDBitz) will grab your attention as she delivers the perfect love song for your wedding playlist.
Westerna – Eyo Nick
Eyo Nick’s “Westerna” (produced by Kevin Bass) celebrates the beauty, culture, and love of Western Uganda and Rwanda while bringing together East African vibes.
Diamond Trust Bank (DTB), one of East Africa’s biggest lenders with operations in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Burundi, has once again found itself at the centre of controversy after a Kenyan High Court ordered the bank to compensate a customer who lost hundreds of millions of shillings in a SIM swap fraud.
The High Court in Machakos ruled that DTB Kenya should shoulder 40% liability, equivalent to about UGX 178 million, after fraudsters stole approximately UGX 441 million (KES 4.42 million) from customer Mercy Wairimu Kariuki’s account.
Telecommunications giant Safaricom was found 60% liable and ordered to pay roughly UGX 263 million.
The fraud dates back to February 2022 when criminals illegally swapped Mercy’s SIM card before accessing her mobile banking account. Within three days, about UGX 441 million was transferred from her account through DTB’s mobile banking platform and Pesalink into several bank and mobile money accounts.
Although the fraudsters used the correct PIN, the High Court ruled that this alone could not excuse the bank from responsibility.
Justice Asenath Ongeri said banks are expected to detect suspicious activity and cannot simply rely on a customer’s PIN when transactions are clearly unusual.
The judge also dismissed DTB’s defence that some transactions occurred over a weekend when staff were unavailable, noting that modern banking systems operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and banks remain responsible for monitoring suspicious transactions at all times.
The latest judgment has once again drawn attention to DTB’s long history of fraud allegations, regulatory sanctions and court battles across East Africa—including Uganda.
In Kenya, former DTB branch managers and senior officials are currently battling 68 criminal charges linked to the alleged theft of about UGX 4.35 billion from a customer’s foreign currency account through forged documents, fake emails and fraudulent withdrawal instructions.
Investigators claim the scheme operated for nearly five years before it was uncovered.
The bank has also previously been linked to several other fraud scandals, including allegations involving unauthorized withdrawals from customers’ fixed deposit accounts and regulatory penalties imposed by the Central Bank of Kenya.
In Uganda, DTB became headline news following the high-profile legal battle with city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, who accused the bank of unlawfully debiting more than UGX 120 billion from his companies’ accounts. The dispute generated one of the biggest banking court cases in Uganda’s recent history.
The latest ruling is likely to fuel fresh debate among customers in both Kenya and Uganda, where DTB operates an extensive branch network, over the security of digital banking platforms and the responsibility of financial institutions to protect customers against increasingly sophisticated cyber fraud.
While DTB Kenya sought to overturn the earlier decision, the High Court dismissed its appeal, meaning the bank and Safaricom must now compensate the customer for the losses arising from the SIM swap attack.
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The countdown to the Eagles Production reunion concert is becoming more exciting for Irene Namatovu.
As fans continue buying tickets ahead of the highly anticipated show, the singer says she cannot wait to reunite with the musicians she once shared the stage with during one of Uganda’s most celebrated music eras.
The concert, she says, is more than just another performance.
It is an opportunity to relive memories she has missed for years.
Speaking ahead of the event, Irene thanked fans for the overwhelming support, saying every ticket purchased motivates her to deliver an unforgettable performance.
She also took the opportunity to clear the air about one of the longest-running stories surrounding Eagles Production.
Contrary to claims that the group broke up because of bitter disagreements, Irene insists there was never bad blood among the members.
According to her, everyone simply grew up, pursued different opportunities, and naturally followed separate career paths.
As excitement builds toward the reunion, Irene has also encouraged her female fans to attend the concert looking their best and conduct themselves with dignity, saying respectable behavior always earns respect.
She believes the reunion will remind fans why Eagles Production remains one of Uganda’s most cherished music groups.
Swangz Avenue’s Benon Mugumbya has urged creatives not to completely rely on the usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create music but rather to polish their naturally created projects.
In an interview with CGTN Africa, Benon Mugumbya expresses his admiration for the wide range of things AI can do to simplify his work as an artist and producer.
He reveals how he has used AI to create elements of music from scratch through prompts, and that the simplicity with which it continues to amaze him every day.
Imagine something as simple as a slight melody. I can prompt and tell AI to create something, and within a minute or two, I have a full song. It’s an incredible tool that has become part of my work, and it continues to amaze me each day with the things it does.
Benon Mugumbya, however, calls upon creatives to find a balance between natural human creativity elements and then use AI to develop them, rather than using AI 100% on projects.
I can easily identify an AI song; it has that really fine sound, so crystal clear, perfect vocals. At the moment, it’s still missing that soul. When you decide to use it, it should just help you to develop and build on what you already have. Don’t go 100% all out with it so that we don’t lose that human touch.
The death of Claire Kirabo, the woman whose six-year battle for life captured the hearts of many Ugandans, has sparked fresh emotion as new details emerge about the events that left her confined to intensive care for years before she breathed her last.
Claire, whose passing was announced by Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital, died after being rushed back to the facility on Sunday following a sudden deterioration in her condition, according to information obtained by RedPepper.
The hospital had earlier revealed on its official X account that Claire was its longest-staying ICU patient, having spent six years under the care of its multidisciplinary intensive care team.
The announcement ignited a storm on social media, with some users accusing the hospital of using insensitive language in announcing her death, while others defended the post as recognition of the remarkable dedication of health workers who kept her alive for years against overwhelming odds.
Fresh information from a close family friend paints a heartbreaking picture of how Claire’s ordeal began.
According to the family, the tragedy dates back to August 19, 2020, when Claire woke up and called her mother, who lived in Mbirizi, Lwengo District, informing her that she was bringing Gabby, her only child to her place.
Only minutes later, the mother received another shocking phone call informing her that Claire had suddenly collapsed, lost consciousness and had been rushed to Masaka Regional Referral Hospital.
Doctors in Masaka later informed the family that her condition was beyond what they could manage and advised that she be transferred either to Mulago National Referral Hospital or Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Because Mbarara was closer, the family chose it.
Claire arrived at Mbarara that very night and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit, where doctors fought tirelessly to save her life.
Although she eventually regained awareness after being admitted unconscious, she never fully recovered and remained dependent on specialised intensive care.
After spending about three years inside the hospital’s ICU, doctors reportedly advised the family to establish a home ICU unit so she could continue receiving advanced care outside the hospital.
The family launched a fundraising drive, with well-wishers from across the country contributing generously to equip the home-based ICU.
Claire was thereafter cared for at her residence in Nkokonjeru, Mbarara, under the supervision of specialists from Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Her condition remained stable for some time before deteriorating over the weekend.
Family members say she became critically weak on Saturday night, prompting them to urgently call for a hospital ambulance on Sunday morning.
Sadly, Claire died almost immediately after arriving back at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital.
Before her illness, Claire reportedly worked at the Resident District Commissioner’s Office in Lwengo District.
She leaves behind her daughter, Gabby.
Family members and friends are gathering today, July 14, for her burial at Kacucu, Rubindi, along the Mbarara-Ibanda road, where she will finally be laid to rest after one of Uganda’s longest and most remarkable battles for survival.
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Police have arrested a man who allegedly posed as a woman in order to secure employment as a domestic worker before stealing from the household that hired him. The suspect has been identified as Kayaga Rayan, who allegedly posed as Namirembe Rukia while seeking employment as a domestic worker.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police, the suspect reportedly concealed his true identity during the recruitment process and successfully obtained a job as a maid at a residence in Mutundwe, Rubaga Division, Kampala District. Investigators say he later stole Shs1.7 million from his employers before his actions were discovered, leading to his arrest.
The incident has prompted police to warn members of the public to be more cautious when hiring domestic workers and to thoroughly verify the identities of prospective employees.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire urged employers to carry out proper background checks before offering jobs to domestic workers.
“As you hire domestic workers, verify their identity and ensure the person is who they claim to be,” Owoyesigyire said.
“If you’re hiring a woman, confirm they are a woman; if you’re hiring a man, confirm they are a man. Always verify identity and references before employment,” he added.
Police say verifying national identification documents, references and previous employment records can help protect households from fraud and theft. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
Zuchu has officially confirmed the end of her relationship with Diamond Platnumz, bringing the curtain down on one of the region’s most high-profile celebrity romances.
The singer, born Zuhura Othman Soud, announced the heartbreaking news through a statement shared on social media, revealing that after six years together, she has chosen to walk away and focus on herself.
The pair’s love story had captivated fans across East Africa, especially after they reportedly sealed their relationship with a private marriage ceremony. But despite weathering public scrutiny and countless breakup rumours over the years, the romance has now come to an end.
In an emotional message, Zuchu said the decision was not an easy one but one she felt was necessary for her peace and well-being.
“After years together, I have decided to choose myself. I wish Naseeb Abdul (Diamond Platnumz) and his family nothing but the very best. This is my time to heal, focus on my health and my work. I have no choice but to accept Allah’s plans.”
The singer also disclosed that legal proceedings to dissolve their marriage are already underway and that the separation will soon be formalized.
Diamond Platnumz, whose real name is Naseeb Abdul, has long been one of East Africa’s most talked-about celebrities, with past relationships involving Zari Hassan, Tanasha Donna, Hamisa Mobetto, and Wema Sepetu regularly making headlines.
Many fans believed Zuchu had finally become the woman who would settle the Bongo Flava superstar after years of high-profile romances. Their relationship appeared to survive numerous public challenges, making news of the split all the more surprising.
As the divorce process unfolds, fans across the region are reacting with mixed emotions, with many wishing both artists healing and success as they embark on separate chapters in their personal and professional lives.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports. Connect with him on social media using the links below in bio.
Singer Vinka has finally spoken about the controversial remarks Cindy Sanyu made in 2023, in which she claimed that artists signed to record labels were not necessarily talented but had been signed simply to “play ball.”
At the time, Cindy’s comments sparked debate within the music industry, with several artists taking issue with her statements.
Winnie Nwagi, signed to the Swangz Avenue record label, was among the few musicians who publicly responded.
Reflecting on the controversy, Vinka admitted that the remarks deeply disappointed her, especially because she had long admired Cindy Sanyu.
The self-styled “Boss Manjah” said Cindy’s comments changed the way she viewed one of her favorite artists.
I felt bad—really bad. It made me feel bad. They say when you’re a fan of an artist, it’s better to remain a fan from a distance and not get too close because you may discover they’re different from the person you imagined them to be. That didn’t sit well with me.
She did not directly criticize Cindy further but made it clear that the comments left her disappointed and altered the admiration she once had for the veteran singer.
Vinka says Cindy’s comments about artists signed to record labels made her feel bad. In 2023, Cindy claimed that the vast majority of musicians signed to record labels are not talented but were signed to play ball. pic.twitter.com/UrUL374OQL
Pastor Aloysius Bujjingo has criticized fellow religious leaders for what he described as their failure to support gospel singer Joseph Ngooma during his concert held over the weekend.
Speaking to his congregation, Bujjingo accused some church leaders of harboring ill intentions and failing to genuinely support fellow Christians, despite publicly expressing solidarity.
We have leaders with evil hearts who spread hatred among people. I’m happy to have Damasco Ssesanga with us today. He’s from House of Prayer. On Saturday, we attended Joseph Ngooma’s concert and filled Lugogo with born-again Christians. The venue became so full that some people were turned away because there was no more space.
The pastor questioned why many of the prominent pastors in Kampala did not attend the concert, despite Ngooma having ministered in their churches on numerous occasions.
There is no church among these so-called big pastors in town that Joseph Ngooma has not visited to perform, yet I didn’t see any of you at his concert. That is a sign of bad hearts. I will say it boldly because no one else will tell you.
These people have hard hearts. When the artist is with them, they pretend to support him, but once he leaves, they create excuses for why they cannot attend his event. Have good hearts, and I thank everyone who came and supported the concert.
Bujjingo also urged his congregation to extend the same support to gospel singer Damasco Ssesanga by attending his upcoming concert scheduled for August 14 at the Ndere Cultural Centre.
