Celebrating Motherhood: Halima Namakula and Her Daughters Rachel K & Rema Namakula

One of the lessons that she has taught me is to always remain confident

Halima Namakula’s illustrious career spans over 50 years, encompassing success as a stage actress, musician, entertainer, and businesswoman. Widely regarded as “the mother of all artists,” she continues to exude grace and elegance, even after decades in the limelight.

To truly understand Halima Namakula, one must turn to her daughters, Rachel K and Rema Namakula. In celebration of Mother’s Day, they recently participated in a photoshoot and shared insights into their relationship with their mother.

What are your fondest memories with your daughters?

Halima: For Rema, it was when she did her first concert. It was a moment we had been praying for and excited about. I told her to be okay, that she’d be just fine – and she was.

For Rachel, it was when she first decided to stay in Uganda. When she said that, I was so pleased. I think Uganda has a way of molding young people, and I wanted her to have this culture.

What are your fondest memories with your mum?

Rema: First of all, I have so many mothers; biological and godmothers. With my biological mom, she used to love Tarabu (Tanzanian band music), and I remember she used to listen to that and dance. With tarabu music, you tie a scarf around your waist, so I knew that every time she started playing that music, I’d bring out the scarf to tie. I remember us dancing together; she really loved it. Whenever I hear that music playing, all I think about is her. My family knows and plays it when they want to celebrate her.

With Mummy Halima, I have so many memories; I don’t even know where to start. She is a person who takes fitness seriously, but when I was a teenager, I was a bit lazy, sleeping late into the morning. She went to work out and came back to find me still in bed. She woke me up with water in my face and made me get up to take a walk. I was to walk from Mawanda Road to Kololo up in the hills, and she stayed behind me in the car, following slowly so I couldn’t lie about doing the actual work.

Rachel: It was when I came back to Uganda and got to actually stay here and be with my mom. Just all the support that she poured into me and my music and everything I was doing was so unconditional. It was so unexpected because no one knew I’d be back, but now our bond has been stronger now that I’ve been around. I doubt it would have been as great if I was still away.

What are some of the biggest life lessons you have learned from Halima Namakula?

Rema: Believe in yourself, even when you’re not sure, just believe that you can. Have confidence in whatever you do; before you know it, it will take you far. Even when I’m doing homework with the kids, and they say they don’t know the answer to something, I tell them, “you know the answer; you’re just not sure if that’s what you should say.” So, I encourage them to believe in themselves and know they are capable of whatever.

Rachel: One of the lessons that she has taught me is to always remain confident. To remember my beauty inside and out – which was something I didn’t really know how to do when I was younger.

How do you plan to celebrate Mother’s Day?

Rachel: Well, every year is always special with my mom. I’m planning on keeping it nice and simple and classy. Of course, spending time together – I usually don’t tell what I’m doing; I love to surprise her, but of course, the normal classic roses, chocolates, and spending time together.

Rema: This Mother’s Day, I have celebrated Mummy, but I’m also a mom – I just plan to be pampered!

Halima: I’m going to be with my daughters. This time round I want to be with just the girls; the boys are out (laughs). I’m taking the girls out and having a day.

What is the most challenging part about motherhood?

Halima: When they turn 13, they want to do their own thing, and they are very complicated because you can’t tell what they are thinking. For the boys, you can know what they are thinking, but the girls? No.

What are you most proud of now that you are 65?

Halima: My grandchildren give me so much joy. Right now, I have 12 grandchildren. I still want more, so I look forward to carrying more. I guess it’s time for me to let Remah, Rachel, and their siblings go so that I focus on just the grandchildren.