Joanita Kawalya is a Ugandan singer, song writer, performing artist and women activist. She is also one of the longest serving members of Afrigo Band, a musical band led by the legendary Moses Matovu.

Born to musician Eclas Kawalya (RIP) in 1967, Joanita Kawalya is famed for songs such as Jim, Wololo and Nantongo, among others.

Starting out

Kawalya started singing in the school choir at an early age and later as a part time member of The Wrens Band, which she joined officially in 1983 courtesy of her father’s guest performances with the band. Eclas Kawalya would take the whole family with him to watch his performances.

Joanita credits her father for the mentorship, saying he is the reason she has been and still is on top of her game after more than three decades.

“He would tell me making a name takes years but losing it takes a minute. For that reason, I have been very careful. Young female artistes should desist from pride if they want to be seen as divas,” she said.

Kawalya joined Afrigo Band in 1986 at the age of 19, replacing her sister, Margaret, also a vocalist who was leaving for Germany. She has been with Afrigo Band ever since.

Education

Joanita Kawalya studied at Lubiri Secondary School where she received both her O and A level certificates. She later joined Kyambogo University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, later joining Lubiri Secondary School as teacher of fine art and music.

She, however, quit teaching and concentrated on music and during one of her earlier interviews, she said her passion for music overrode her passion for teaching.  

“Quitting was hard but I had to go where my heart and soul found self-fulfillment,” she disclosed.

Family 

Kawalya is married to Christopher Muganga Kagolo who she married in July 1995 after the two meeting at the Institute of Teacher Education Kyambogo (ITEK) where both were pursuing Diplomas in Education. They are blessed with two children.

Joanita says their turning point came when she travelled to see Christopher in Mityana.

 “After the Education Ministry releasing the placements for Teachers, I realized Chris had been picked. And I knew that he didn’t know about it, so I boarded a UTC bus to Mityana to inform him. Luckily, he had directed me to his village and I didn’t find much trouble to locate him.”

“When I arrived, Chris was called from the garden where he was digging,” Joanita adds.

Muganga Christopher recalls that after his sister saw Joanita Kawalya, she confirmed that he had hit a jackpot and, therefore, he needed to do everything to win over the daughter of a legend.

Initially, Christopher was meant to teach in Mityana but the then head teacher of Makerere College School persuaded him to join the school. So this meant moving back to Kampala to be closer to Joanita who was by then teaching at Lubiri SS.

Later, as Joanita’s music career grew, their relationship blossomed, although Christopher preferred to stay in the background and still does.

Awards 

2015 Special Lifetime Achievement Diva Award – Best female musician 

2007 Rotary Club Vocational Award (Kiwatule)

2007 Rotary Club Vocational Award (Kampala East)

2006 Rotary Club Award (California) – Outstanding Afrigo Band member.

2006 Rotary Club Award (California) – Meritorious Lady in Uganda.

Songs

As part of Afrigo band, Joanita has both solo projects as well as contributions as vocalist in songs with other band members.These includeEkadde, Minzaani, Batuuse, Bwenkanya, Jim, Oswadde Nnyo Remix, Teri Mubi, Nantongo, Akaana Ka Kawalya, Maria, Twali Twagalana, Olumbe Lwobwaavu, Bakulimba, Speed and Omutanda Gyali, among others.

Recognitions

Kawalya has served as a community advisory member on the National Aids project, the Walter Reed project and the Makerere Johns Hopkins joint project. She has also been involved in grass root campaigns for HIV/AIDS and her face is now recognizable as one of the facilitators for the Nabagereka’s annual cultural fete, the Kisakaate.

Kawalya is also involved in mentorship of talent, especially the Pearl of Africa Talent Search. She also participated in the gender identity week organized by Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies.