Elly Wamala is a man who breathed and lived music. The renowned creative Ugandan singer whose legacy lives on close to a decade after his death was born on December 13th, 1935 to Gladys Nabutiti and Ignatius Mutambuze near Mbale district in Eastern Uganda. His music which was recorded as far back as the 1950’s is still germane in contemporary Uganda.
This wonderful musical genius made sweet melodies for many Ugandans and people beyond boarders for over 40 years before he succumbed to Cancer and Diabetes at an age of 69 years back in 2004. Known to many of his fans as Evergreen, Elly inspired Ugandan musicians to produce quality music while having fun at it.
His first recorded composition Nabutono became a big seller and brought out the star that he was. His amazing and poetic compositions bred true music in Uganda. His songs like Viola Ebinyumu byaffe, Sacramento, Kaama Katono, Nkole Mpakase, Nga Bwekolanga and Boda Boda developed Ugandan music to what it is now and aided him to the champion modern Ugandan music recording industry.
The founder of contemporary Ugandan Music was a strong believer in morals especially among musicians, he strongly advised against the use of drugs. Kakooza Mutale called him the social teacher, this was attributed to the useful social life messages in his music, messages about love, work and marriage. The Kabaka was a big fan, so to say, he often invited him to his court to perform.
According to Edmund Batte one of his producers, he was a very creative man who made his own music, wrote it down and was a good guitarist. It is said that because of his work, he earned a job as the resident guitarist at the New Life Bar in Mengo in the last few years of the 1950’s.
Elly received numerous accolades for his great work one of such being the Lifetime Achievement award. National theatre management also holds an annual lecture to remember the good old man who I believe jump started Ugandan music.
Recently, the family of the late singer, petitioned the Uganda Performing Rights Society accusing local artistes of ‘stealing’ the deceased star’s music. Several artistes have sampled the late singer’s songs without authorization. The petition made mention of artistes like Pony Tail and Don Mc Kapata who remixed “Ebinyumo” and GNL Zamba.
The reality is that Uganda and the world lost a great music icon who left behind a wife and 13 children, solace can however be found in his music, take a listen today!
