Omega Bugembe Okello - Kiwomera Emmeeme

By Em Fergusson

The soft, gentle sounds of a new songstress to a vast musical world, offers a refreshingly unique perspective of the world we live in. Omega Bugembe Okello's latest album, Kiwomera Emmeeme provides a glimpse into the wonderful world of African music and talent. The 10-track album is filled with songs expressed in various languages, each with a message.

Okello brings rich elements to her music from her African roots, particularly Uganda. She began her musical career at the tender age of four, when she was selected to sing with the renowned African Children's Choir, a choir that usually enrolls African orphaned children aged 7-12.  Although Okello is not an orphan, she wowed the African Children's Choir administration with her powerful vocals and natural talent. She toured with the choir and developed her musical career over the years.

The release of Kiwomera Emmeeme, meaning "it is sweet to the soul" in Luganda, incorporates the elaborate blend of Western and ethnic sounds. Okello wrote 8 of the 10 songs on the album and most of the songs are performed in her native language, Luganda, except for one sung in Swahili. Okello collaborated with award-winning Ugandan songwriter Sylver Kyagulanyi to write the song Gunyuma, which means "Love is a wonderful thing."

Many of the songs on the album speak of love, hope and the meaning of life. The single, Mujje encourages listeners to find true meaning in life and to celebrate the core of who we truly are. Following the theme of love and hope, Utama wa Mapenzi speaks of the sweetness of love while Zibasanze, meaning "woe,"takes a more serene approach.

Gospel single, He Won’t Leave You produced and co-written by Warryn "Baby Dubb" Campbell has received positive feedback from the industry. The album, Kiwomera Emmeeme,  is being hailed as a musical project merging several cultures with tinges of jazz, blues, R&B, neo gospel, contemporary and pop with a rich blend of African melodies.

Surrounded by the suffering in her country for many years, Okello's experience growing up in the orphanage (which her mother who raised 100 orphans, opened in Uganda), created a strong foundation for her music. On the album, Okello brings attention to the state of the earth through the song, Tugilabilile, which means "Let's take care of the earth." The song was written to encourage listeners to become more environmentally conscious.