Kyambadde ready to sing for the Pope

Margaret Kyambadde will co-direct the choir that will sing for Pope Francis at Namugongo today. Photo by Dominic Bukenya

What you need to know:

Singing for the Pope. Margaret Namagembe Kyambadde is the music co-director for the choir that will perform for Pope Francis during his open-air Mass today at the Uganda Martyr’s Shrines Namungongo. She spoke to Frederic Musisi about her life as a choir conductor.

“My name is Margaret Namagembe Kyambadde. I am married to Joseph Bernard Kyambadde. We have three children, a girl and two boys.
I’m a teacher by profession, and the head teacher of St Peters Secondary School, Nkonkonjeru, Buikwe district.
I am also the head of Liturgy in Lugazi Diocese, and our Bishop (Christopher Kakooza) being the in-charge of the select committee on Liturgy for the Holy Father’s visit, I was asked by the Vicar General, Mgr Dr Richard Kayondo, to take charge.
Before going to Lugazi I was working with the Kampala Archdiocesan Music Committee as a music instructor.

I have been in the church choir since I was in Primary Two, both as a member and as an instructor.
I will be co-directing the choir that will sing for the Holy Father with Jude Thaddeus Luwaga.
“I am happy to be part of the Papal choir not only as a singer but also as a director. I feel absolutely honoured and a blessed.
The task has been very tough; trying to make sure that we make the best of the choir so they can put up a memorable.

It has also been very challenging juggling professional life, family and managing the choir. As a head teacher, the choir practices came at the same time when students were starting exams so I had to ensure operations are smooth at school and at the same time the choir prepares for the big day.
The success of the choir was largely hinged on team-work among members.
I thank my Diocese leadership and the Uganda Episcopal Conference, which entrusted me with his role.
I thank the Lord for this blessing. And May his name be praised.

Who is Kyambadde?
Kyambadde was born on October 16, 1980 in Kyango village, Matile Parish, Rakai District (Masaka Diocese). The eighth born of nine children was born in a stanch Catholic family to the late Emmanuel Nyanzi and Maxenxia Nansamba. Besides her mother, she cites one of her uncles, Lawrence Lugwana, as one of the pillars who saw her through school and supported her music talent.
Kyambade attended St Gerald Kyango Primary School, Christ the King Secondary School-Kalisizo and St Thereza Girls Secondary School, Masaka and Makerere University, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.
She also holds a Diploma in Music Dance and Drama (MDD) from Makerere University and a Masters Degree in Education Leadership from Walsh University, United States.

Selection method. Lugazi Diocesan Bishop, Rt Rev Christopher Kakooza, who headed the Liturgy Committee for the papal visit and oversees preparations by choir members, says the members of the choir were handpicked to entertain the Holy Father.
Contributors. All the choirs were drawn from the Archdiocese of Kampala and the dancers from the Archdioceses of Mbarara and Gulu. The choirs are, St Paul’s Mukono Parish, St Agnes, Makindye Parish, St Donozio, Mulago Parish, Our Lady of Africa, Mbuya Parish and the Catholic Centenary Memorial Choir (CACEMCHO) from the Christ the King Parish. Thirty members were drawn from each Parish.

Rehearsals. The group has been meeting three times a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday evening. The rehearsals were often animated as the choir sang multiple songs in Latin, English, Luo, Runyakitara and Luganda. Originally, the group had 300 members but this was reduced to 200, according to Kyambadde, who is a co instructor with Jude Thaddeus Luwaga, the choir master. “They started practice at their parishes. The choir conductors sorted through; gauging the voices, ability to sing, and inter-personal skills. We received a finished product that only needed fine-tuning for the occasion,” Luwaga says.

Lucky few. “Being part of the papal Mass choir does not come that easily. Some might have been lucky, he added, but, “they are all ready. They have perfected the art, after all, none of them is a stranger to singing in the choir. The only thing they need is a little [more] confidence.”
“However good one is, who wouldn’t be nervous to stand before and sing for the Holy Father?” he says.