Veteran singer and music icon Halima Namakula remains one of the most respected figures in Uganda’s entertainment scene. In a recent reflection on her legacy, Namakula shared insights into her groundbreaking achievements, including being the first female artist in Uganda to own a radio station.
After returning from the United States in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Halima established Beat FM, a sister station to Capital FM. She noted that the station played a significant role in promoting local music and nurturing emerging talent.
“I was also the first female artist in Uganda to own a recording studio,” Namakula revealed. “And I became the first woman in the industry to work as a promoter, bringing in international acts and organising concerts.”
Among the international stars she helped bring to Uganda were David Campbell, Sean Kingston, Elephant Man, and Beenie Man—all of whom, she said, left a lasting impression on local audiences and helped raise Uganda’s profile on the global music stage.
Halima also credited her son for being the driving force behind the scenes of her successful ventures.
“My son was the managing director who handled everything,” she explained. “It’s my name that opened many doors, but he ensured things ran smoothly. Even now, he’s the one who selected Serena Hotel as the venue for my upcoming concert and is managing every detail of the planning.”
