In appreciation, Rema said she was happy to be back home where she said, she was welcomed like a real family member, and pledged to continue revisiting what she called her home, over and over again, to help uplift the talents of her ’young sisters and brothers’ at St. Balikuddembe Kisoga.
Celebrated singer Rema Namakula has been presented with an accolade by fellow old students of St. Balikuddembe Senior Secondary School Kisoga in Ntenjeru-Kisoga Town Council, Mukono district, in appreciation for her significant contribution towards promotion of talent development in their school and in the outside world.
The old boys and old girls subscribing to the Balikuddembe Kisoga Old Students Association (BAKIOSA) thanked Namakula for continually keeping in close touch with them, and readily responding to their invitation to participate in shows geared at re-awakening the talents among continuing students of the school.
The award was handed over to Rema on Saturday October 4, 2025, at a reunion festivity for St. Balikuddembe SS Kisoga dubbed ‘Homecoming Excellence Festival 2025’, in a music concert which was honored by outstanding Ugandan local singers, Rema Namakula herself and Hellena Nanjego who in union with the rest of the old and continuing students showcased their pieces under the theme “Ntambula Ngaludde Mu Ddembe”.
The show was also organized to raise sh50m for erection of a modern school gate, out of which over sh15m in cash was realized.
In appreciation, Rema said she was happy to be back home where she said, she was welcomed like a real family member, and pledged to continue revisiting what she called her home, over and over again, to help uplift the talents of her ’young sisters and brothers’ at St. Balikuddembe Kisoga.
Addressing the gathering, singer Helena Nanjego encouraged the students not to drop their talents on the way, saying that because of her talent, she is one of the Ugandan students that have benefited from government sponsorship at Makerere University.
Mukono South MP Fred Kayondo who is another old boy of the school, donated sh500,000 towards the school gate cause, and told the gathering that this time round, he was not attending for asking for votes, but to show solidarity with colleagues in a school that moulded him to his present stature.
The function was officiated over by the President for the Rotary Club of Mukono, Law Development Centre (LDC) lecturer, Albert Mooli Sibuta who represented Rotary Deputy Governor, AIGP Moses Kafeero, and he appealed to the young learners not to lose hold on their talents even after leaving St. Balikuddembe.
Lugazi Diocesan Education Secretary, Fr. Gerard Bwenvu acknowledged the St. Balikuddembe old students musicians, Rema, Nenjego and others for supporting government’s competence based curriculum by coming back to their school to train their successors still at school, adding that they are coming as an inspiration to the young ones for the young ones to know that they too can make it.
The chairperson for the school board of governors Fr. Peter Lawrence Tamale was touched by the messages of being exemplary in the songs by the singers. He singled out the issue of domestic violence which vividly came out as one of the vices bedeviling communities today.
“Peace is a right for everyone, everywhere every time; at home, at school, on the way and out in the communities; when you get the message, examine yourself to know whether you are an advocate of peace or of violence and adjust adequately,” he advised.
The headteacher Lydia Kagoya Lukwago expressed appreciation to the singers for sacrificing their time and other resources to take time off to train ongoing learners in the art of singing, and to instill in them the spirit of trusting that they can as well become great.
Other dignitaries at the function included the 1st Deputy Ssekiboobo (Mengo government chief for Kyaggwe) Moses Ssenyonjo who is also proprietor for St. Mary’s College Lugazi (SMACOL). Students presented skits and songs depicting the evils of corruption in society, effects of gender-based violence on children’s life, and how lack of faith has destroyed many communities.