**Biography, Early Life, Age, Family, Children, Husband, and Music of Irene Gladys Namubiru**
Irene Gladys Namubiru, popularly known as Iryn Namubiru, is a renowned Ugandan Afro-pop singer and performer, celebrated for her light, lyrical voice. In addition to her illustrious music career, she is a dedicated mother and businesswoman.
**Early Life and Education**
Irene Namubiru was born on December 13, 1981, in the Central Region of Uganda. She attended Bugema Adventist Senior Secondary School in the Luwero District and Namasagali College in the Kamuli District for her high school education. Namubiru pursued further studies at the Airways Tourism and Hotel Institute, Stendhal University in Grenoble, France, and Cavendish University in Uganda. During her time at Namasagali College, she formed a lasting friendship with fellow Ugandan artist Juliana Kanyomozi.
**Personal Life**
Namubiru is multilingual, fluent in English, French, and her native Luganda. She holds dual citizenship in France and Uganda. She was married to a French man, with whom she has since parted ways.
**Notable Incident**
In November 2018, Iryn Namubiru was among the passengers on a boat that tragically sank on Lake Victoria in the Mukono District. The disaster claimed the lives of more than 30 Ugandans, out of over 100 individuals aboard the party boat traveling from KK Beach to Mutima Island.
Iryn Namubiru remains one of the most prominent and influential female singers in Uganda's music scene, continuously enchanting audiences with her Afro-pop melodies. ### Irene Gladys Namubiru – Music Career
Irene Namubiru has cherished singing since childhood, striving to make it a central part of her life.
In 1995, she joined the group Da Homies alongside singer-rapper DJs Ragga Dee and Molar-Messe. She collaborated with "Joss Jew" Mawejje, a studio arranger and keyboardist, to release several singles, including the group's hits "Bamusakata," "Mukwano," and "Mukyala tokaba."
Her first single, "Learn to Say Goodbye," featured on the group's next album, garnered significant praise. In September 1995, she made her debut stage performance. In 1999, Namubiru teamed up with Juliana Kanyomozi, a friend from Namasagali College, to form the R&B all-girl group I-Jay. In 2000, they released a seven-track album titled "Wait," featuring songs like "Wait RMX" (with Steve Jean), "Not Good Enough," "Mwana," "Wait," "Emirimu," "Vivi LA," and "Two to Make it True." Although it received some airplay on Ugandan radio stations, it wasn't widely promoted.
Shortly after the album's release, Namubiru moved to France, leading to the group's dissolution. Despite rumors of a fallout, both Namubiru and Kanyomozi denied any personal discord. While in France, Namubiru formed the Afro-Soul group Nujeli with Julien Grout, releasing an LP titled "ENSI." This album included tracks like "Nsangi," "Desurrection," "Baami Baffe," "Twins Play," "Our Illness," "Eko," "Tuzze," "Pleasures' Garden," "Espirit es-tu la?," "Voler," and the title track "Ensi."
Namubiru's breakthrough came in 2006 with the release of the album "Nkuweeki," marking the start of her rapid ascent to become one of Uganda's leading female musicians. Since 2006, she has enjoyed success with hits like "Y'ono" and "Birowoozo," earning several top awards in Uganda's music industry.
Her most successful year was 2011, when she triumphed in four categories at the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards, winning Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best R&B Single of the Year. ### Iryn Gladys Namubiru – Controversy
Critics of Namubiru have accused her of dressing "inappropriately" in her music videos and at some of her concerts. They argue that her outfits violate traditional Ugandan dress norms and set a bad example for aspiring musicians. In 2009, controversy arose when she wore a swimsuit in the video for her popular song "Bonna Obasinga," which many, including some fans, deemed too revealing. In response, she later created a new video to appease her critics. Nonetheless, many fans defended her "creative" fashion choices, dismissing the critics as socially backward and resistant to new styles.
In 2019, Namubiru expressed strong disapproval of young rapper Fresh Kid, stating that he disgusted her and that she didn't listen to his music because he behaved inappropriately for his age. She first encountered Fresh Kid at Comedy Store and was puzzled by his presence until he was escorted to the stage. Namubiru acknowledged his talent but insisted he should associate with peers his own age, warning that he might need therapy when he matures and reflects on his current behavior. She also mocked a song of his in which he laments not being taken seriously due to his age, saying that if he were her child, she would still be holding him on her lap.
### Irene Gladys Namubiru: Japan Arrest
On May 3, 2013, Irene Gladys Namubiru was arrested in Tokyo, Japan, where she had traveled to perform at a music concert. She was accused of possessing illegal drugs, specifically ecstasy (MDMA), which was found hidden in her luggage. Namubiru was detained at Narita International Airport in Tokyo before she could perform.
Reports indicate that her fans, primarily Ugandans living in Japan, learned of her arrest at the concert venue and went to the airport to assist her. However, Japanese police informed them that Namubiru was traveling on a French passport, limiting their ability to help. Namubiru subsequently sought assistance from the French Embassy in Japan.
Leading up to her arrest, Namubiru had been sharing her excitement about the upcoming concert, scheduled to take place at the Yotsukaido Cultural Hall in Tokyo. Following her arrest, she was moved from the Tokyo airport detention center to a police station in Central Tokyo, where she gave a statement asserting her ignorance about the drug in her possession.
At a hearing on May 24, 2013, the court found insufficient evidence to convict Namubiru of drug trafficking, resulting in her acquittal. Subsequently, Japanese police cleared her of the charges, and she was released. ### Award Winners and Nominees
Iryn Namubiru has received numerous awards and nominations throughout her music career. Her accolades include:
- **2006:** Best Female Artist, Buzz Magazine - **2007:** Diva Award for Best Collaboration - **2009:** Diva Award for Best Female Artist, PAM Awards - **2010:** Awards for Best Afro Single, Diva Awards; Artist of the Year, PAM Awards - **2011:** Best Female Artist, Best R&B Song, Best Album, PAM Awards; Artist of the Year, PAM Awards - **2013:** Best Band Song for "Ndeyreya," HiPipo Music Awards
### Collaborations
Irene Namubiru has collaborated with various artists on numerous projects, including:
Iryn Gladys Namubiru was married to a Frenchman named Frank Galusy Morel. They have two sons together but have been separated for several years due to issues such as domestic violence, cheating, and safety concerns. She later dated NTV news anchor Gabriel Epenu, but the relationship ended due to disapproval from Gabriel's family.
In a recent interview, Namubiru revealed that she had found love again but did not disclose the identity of her new partner. Additionally, she has been accused of having an affair with Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, the former Vice President of Uganda, which contributed to his separation from his wife, Dr. Margaret Mary Musoke.
Namubiru balances her music career with family life in Dijon, France, and performing in Uganda, where most of her fans reside. She maintains a rigorous exercise routine, working out six days a week for two hours to stay fit for her performances.
Her eldest son, Eko Morel, excelled in high school in France and went on to study Sociology at Universite De Bourgogne. He graduated from Lycee International Charles De Gaulle in Dijon, France, in 2019. Namubiru shares custody of her children with their father, alternating every six months, but keeps her children separate from her relationships. Irene Gladys Namubiru, also known as Iryn Namubiru, is a mother and businesswoman as well as one of the best Ugandan female singers of all time. She is an Afro-pop singer and performer with a light, lyric voice. Iryn Namubiru was one of the people who were on the boat that sank on Lake Victoria in the Mukono District in November 2018. More than 30 Ugandans died in the accident. Over 100 people were on the party boat going from KK Beach to Mutima Island. She is fluent in English, French, and her native language, Luganda. She has dual citizenship in France and her home country, Uganda. She got married in France, and her ex-husband is a French man. Early Life and Education of Irene Gladys Namubiru Irene Namubiru was born in the Central Region of Uganda on December 13, 1981. Namubiru went to high school at Bugema Adventist Senior Secondary School in the Luwero District and Namasagali College in the Kamuli District. After that, Namubiru went to the Airways Tourism and Hotel Institute, Stendhal University in Grenoble, France, and then Cavendish University in Uganda. Namubiru met Juliana Kanyomozi, another Ugandan performing artist who was also at Namasagali College at the same time as her, and they became friends. Irene Gladys Namubiru – Music career Irene Namubiru says she's loved singing since she was a child and has always tried to make it a bigger part of her life. In 1995, she joined singer-rapper DJs Ragga Dee and Molar-Messe as part of the group Da Homies. She also worked with "Joss Jew" Mawejje as a studio arranger and keyboardist to help release a series of singles, including the group's hits "Bamusakata," "Mukwano," and "Mukyala tokaba." Learn to Say Goodbye, her first single, was also on the group's next album, which got a lot of praise. In September 1995, she made her first stage appearance not long after that. In 1999, she joined forces with Kanyomozi, a friend from Namasagali College, to make the R&B all-girl group I-Jay. In 2000, they put out an album with seven songs called Wait. It had the songs Wait RMX (with Steve Jean), Not Good Enough, Mwana, Wait, Emirimu, Vivi LA, and Two to Make it True. This was played on Ugandan radio stations, but not too much. Soon after their record came out, Namubiru moved to France, and the group broke up. People later thought that the two broke up because they didn't get along, but both of them said that wasn't true. While she was in France, she and Julien Grout made the Afro-Soul group Nujeli and put out an LP called ENSI. This record had the songs "Nsangi 3:44, Desurrection 5:36, Baami Baffe 4:20, Twins Play 3:42, Our illness 4:51, Eko 3:26, Tuzze 2:21, Pleasures' Garden 3:40, Espirit es-tu la? 3:46, Voler 5:20, and the title track "Ensi." But Namubiru didn't become well-known until 2006, when she put out the album "Nkuweeki." This was the start of her quick rise to become one of Uganda's best female musicians.Iryn Namubiru has had a lot of success with songs like "Y'ono" and "Birowoozo" since 2006. These songs have helped her win several top awards in Uganda's music industry. Namubiru had her best year ever in 2011 when she won in four categories at the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Awards. She won Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Best R&B Single of the Year. Irene Gladys Namubiru – Family Iryn Gladys Namubiru was married to a Frenchman named Frank Galusy Morel. The two of them have two sons together, but they have been apart for years. People say that domestic violence, cheating, and feeling unsafe led to their breakup. Later, she started dating NTV's news anchor Gabriel Epenu, but the relationship didn't last long because Gabriel's family never liked her. Singing sensational Irene Namubiru, who has been in and out of relationships, said she had found love in a recent interview after a fight with Epenu. She said she was happily in love, but she wouldn't say who it was with. Irene Namubiru has also been accused of having an affair with Prof. Gilbert Bukenya, the former Vice President of Uganda. This led to their breakup with wife Dr. Margaret Mary Musoke, who asked the Family Division of the High Court in Kampala to end their 45-year-old marriage. Dr. Margaret said that Prof. Bukenya, her husband, has been unfaithful. The respondent (Bukenya) has had several affairs outside of her marriage, and the media has made a big deal about them, which makes her look bad and makes fun of her. Among the women mentioned in the quote were well-known musicians like Irene Namubiru and Sheila Nvanungi. She juggles her music career with spending time with her family in Dijon, France, and with perBiography, early life, age, family, children, husband, and music of Irene Gladys Namubiru Irene Gladys Namubiru, also known as Iryn Namubiru, is a mother and businesswoman as well as one of the best Ugandan female singers of all time. She is an Afro-pop singer and performer with a light, lyric voice. Iryn Namubiru was one of the people who were on the boat that sank on Lake Victoria in the Mukono District in November 2018. More than 30 Ugandans died in the accident. Over 100 people were on the party boat going from KK Beach to Mutima Island. She is fluent in English, French, and her native language, Luganda. She has dual citizenship in France and her home country, Uganda. She got married in France, and her ex-husband is a French man. Early Life and Education of Irene Gladys Namubiru Irene Namubiru was born in the Central Region of Uganda on December 13, 1981. Namubiru went to high school at Bugema Adventist Senior Secondary School in the Luwero District and Namasagali College in the Kamuli District. After that, Namubiru went to the Airways Tourism and Hotel Institute, Stendhal University in Grenoble, France, and then Cavendish University in Uganda. Namubiru met Juliana Kanyomozi, another Ugandan performing artist who was also at Namasagali College at the same time as her, and they became friends. Irene Gladys Namubiru – Music career Irene Namubiru says she's loved singing since she was a child and has always tried to make it a bigger part of her life. In 1995, she joined singer-rapper DJs Ragga Dee and Molar-Messe as part of the group Da Homies. She also worked with "Joss Jew" Mawejje as a studio arranger and keyboardist to help release a series of singles, including the group's hits "Bamusakata," "Mukwano," and "Mukyala tokaba." Learn to Say Goodbye, her first single, was also on the group's next album, which got a lot of praise. In September 1995, she made her first stage appearance not long after that. In 1999, she joined forces with Kanyomozi, a friend from Namasagali College, to make the R&B all-girl group I-Jay. In 2000, they put out an album with seven songs called Wait. It had the songs Wait RMX (with Steve Jean), Not Good Enough, Mwana, Wait, Emirimu, Vivi LA, and Two to Make it True. This was played on Ugandan radio stations, but not too much. Soon after their record came out, Namubiru moved to France, and the group broke up. People later thought that the two broke up because they didn't get along, but both of them said that wasn't true. While she was in France, she and Julien Grout made the Afro-Soul group Nujeli and put out an LP called ENSI.
This record had the songs "Nsangi 3:44, Desurrection 5:36, Baami Baffe 4:20, Twins Play 3:42, Our illness 4:51, Eko 3:26, Tuzze 2:21, Pleasures' Garden 3:40, Espirit es-tu la? 3:46, Voler 5:20, and the title track "Ensi."