Juliana Kanyomozi is a Ugandan singer, actress, and entertainer who has won many awards and recognition for her music and talent. She was born on November 27, 1980 and she is currently 42 years old, in Fort Portal, Western Uganda, to a royal family of Toro Kingdom. She is the daughter of Prince Gerald Manyindo and Catherine Manyindo which makes her first cousin to King Rukidi IV of Toro. Her father, Prince Gerald Philip Manyindo, was a drummer and her grandmother was a vocalist, which made her grow up with a passion for music and started singing at a young age.
Kanyomozi attended City Primary School (currently Arya Primary School) for her primary education, and then joined Bugema Secondary School for her O-Level education. She then completed her high school education at Namasagali College in Kamuli District. She began her professional music career in 1998 as part of the all-girl group I-Jay, which disbanded shortly after releasing their first album. She then embarked on a solo career and released her debut album, Nabikoowa, in 2000. She followed it with several other albums, such as Kanyimbe, Diana, Malaika Wange, and Woman, which featured hit songs like Usiende Mbali, Sanyu Lyange, Omutima Guluma, and Right Here. She rose to fame in 2004 after winning the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAMA) for Best R&B Artist. She has since won numerous other PAMAs, as well as awards from other organizations such as the HiPipo Music Awards and the Diva Awards Africa.
She is known for her versatile style of music, which ranges from pop, R&B, Afrobeat, to gospel. She sings in English, Luganda, Swahili, and Rutooro. She has collaborated with many local and international artists, such as Bobi Wine, Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, Flavour, Bushoke, and Kidum. She has also performed at various events and festivals, such as the East African Carnival, the Bayimba Festival, and the Kora Awards.
She has also ventured into acting and appeared in the 2008 film Kiwani: The Movie, directed by Henry Ssali. She played the role of a young woman who falls in love with a conman and also queen of katwe in 2016. She has also been a judge on the popular reality show Tusker Project Fame, where she mentored aspiring singers from East Africa. She has also been a brand ambassador for Oriflame, a cosmetics company.
She has won numerous accolades and honors for her music and contribution to the industry. She was the first female artist to win the Pearl of Africa Music Awards Artist of the Year in 2008. She has also won the Diva Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, the HiPipo Music Awards Best Female Artist, the Uganda Entertainment Awards Best Female Artist, and the Zzina Awards Legend of the Year, among others. She has also been nominated for the MTV Africa Music Awards, the Kora Awards, the Channel O Music Video Awards, and the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
She is a mother of two sons, Keron Raphael Kabugo and Taj. Her first son, Keron, died in 2014 due to an asthma attack. She gave birth to her second son, Taj, in 2020. She has been in a relationship with several men, including boxer Kassim Ouma, businessman Amon Lukwago, and musician Peter Miles. She is currently single and focused on her career and family.
She is regarded as one of the most beautiful, influential, and successful women in Uganda. She is a role model and inspiration to many young girls and aspiring musicians. She is also involved in various charitable and humanitarian causes, such as supporting orphans, widows, and people living with HIV/AIDS. She is a strong advocate for women's rights and empowerment. She is a proud Mutooro and a loyal citizen of Uganda. She is Juliana Kanyomozi, the queen of Ugandan music.
List of songs she has released through out the years.
- In 2000, she released her debut album, Nabikoowa, which had songs like Nabikoowa, Nkulinze, and Ndi Bulungi.
- In 2001, she released her second album, Kanyimbe, which had songs like Kanyimbe, Nkulinze Remix, and Nkwanjula.
- In 2003, she released her third album, Diana, which had songs like Diana, Nkwegomba, and Naliko Omukyala.
- In 2005, she released her fourth album, Malaika Wange, which had songs like Malaika Wange, Nkyanoonya, and Nkulinze Remix 2.
- In 2007, she released her fifth album, Woman, which had songs like Woman, Sanyu Lyange, and Usiende Mbali.
- In 2009, she released her sixth album, Kibaluma, which had songs like Kibaluma, Omutima Guluma, and Mpita Njia (with Alicios).
- In 2011, she released her seventh album, Alive Again, which had songs like Alive Again, Haturudi Nyuma (with Kidum), and Yegwe.
- In 2013, she released her eighth album, Bitabuse, which had songs like Bitabuse, Kalibatanya, and Right Here.
- In 2015, she released her ninth album, I'm Still Here, which had songs like I'm Still Here, Wakajanja, and Twalina Omukwano.
- In 2017, she released her tenth album, Woman of Steel, which had songs like Woman of Steel, Omukwano Ogwedda, and Nakazadde.
- In 2019, she released her eleventh album, The Best of Juliana Kanyomozi, which had songs like The Best of Juliana Kanyomozi, Taata W'abaana Yaani, and Love You Better.
Some of the awards won by Juliana Kanyomozi.
- In 2008, she became the first female musician to win the Pearl of Africa Music Awards Artist of the Year accolade. She also won the Best Female Artist and Best R&B Single awards at the same event.
- In 2010, she won the Tanzania Music Awards Best East African Song for "Haturudi Nyuma" featuring Kidum Kibido. She also won the Diva Awards Uganda Best R&B Artist for "Kantambule Naawe" and "Alive Again".
- In 2011, she won the East African Music Awards Best Female Artist for "Alive Again". She also won the Super Talent Awards Uganda Most Gifted Artist and the BEFFTA Awards UK Best International Afrobeats Act.
- In 2012, she won the HiPipo Charts Best Afro Beat Act for "Sanyu Lyange" and Best Video Act for the same song. She also won the Specially Appreciated Hipipo Charts Female Artist award.
- In 2013, she won the Kisima Awards Best Ugandan Song for "Omutima Guluma". She also won the Kora Awards Best Female Artist East Africa for "I Am Ugandan".
- In 2015, she won the Diva Awards Afrika Lifetime Achievement Award. She also won the Uganda Entertainment Awards Best Female Artist and the Zzina Awards Legend of the Year.
- In 2017, she won the HiPipo Music Awards Best Female Artist and Best R&B Song for "Woman". She also won the Uganda Music Awards Best Female Artist and Best R&B Artist.
