George Wilberforce Kakoma

George Wilberforce Kakoma (27 July 1923 – 8 April 2012) was a Ugandan musician who wrote and composed "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty", Uganda's national anthem.

George Wilberforce Kakoma
Born(1923-07-27)27 July 1923
Masaka District, Uganda
Died8 April 2012(2012-04-08) (aged 88)
Kampala, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
Alma materDurham University
OccupationComposer
Notable work
"Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty"

Early life and education

Kakoma was born during the 1920s in what is now the southern part of Uganda's Masaka District.[1] He graduated from the Trinity College of Music and Durham University.

Career

Prior to Uganda's independence, three sub-committees were established to deal with creating Uganda’s national symbols. The sub-committee for the creation of a national anthem encouraged Ugandans to submit their proposals.

"The compositions had to be short, original, solemn, praising and looking forward to the future. They had to be harmonised in the usual four parts-soprano, alto, tenor and bass," said Kakoma in an interview.[2]

In July 1962, the committee chose Kakoma's composition. It had taken him a day to compose the music and write the lyrics for "Oh Uganda, Land of Beauty".

Kakoma worked as a music teacher in the Masaka District.[3]

Later life and death

Kakoma died on 8 April 2012 in Kampala's Kololo suburb, aged 89. He had been ill since February 2011.[4]

Publications
  • George W. Kakoma, Songs from Buganda, Univ. of London Press, London 1969, ISBN 0-340-09438-9

References
  1. "Professor George Wilberforce Kakoma and the Uganda National Anthem".
  2. https://web.archive.org/web/20070927234004/http://newvision.co.ug/D/11/289/311412A
  3. "Daily Monitor". mobile.monitor.co.ug.
  4. "Anthem composer George William Kakoma passes on". New Vision. 8 April 2012. Retrieved 8 April 2012.
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