Namukwaya Hajara Diana, also known as Spice Diana,[1] is a Ugandan musician.
Early life and education
Spice Diana is the oldest of three children and was raised by a single mother.[2]
She was educated at Kibuli Demonstration School for primary education and St Peter's Senior Secondary School. She also attended Kampala Citizens School where she found a talent for singing and rapping.[2] She graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelor of Industrial Arts,[3] while struggling to keep a balance between music and school.[4]
Music career
Spice Diana started her music career in 2014 with her hit single Onsanula that won her an award the following year. This was the first award she won and it was called Best Female Breakthrough Artist Award.[5]
Her first manager was Dr Fizol of Avie Records. She then signed to the record labels of Twinkle Star and Humble Management in 2016 before going solo.[4][6]
She has many hits including "Anti Kale", "I miss you" and "Buteke". In 2016, she decided to organize awards to recognize her team and named these awards the Team Spice Diana Awards. She performed at the award show with upcoming artists.[7][8][9]
She has also collaborated with both local and international artists that include Pallaso, Ray G, Aganaga and Jamaican Orisha Sound among others.[citation needed]
Awards and nominations
She won Best Female Breakthrough Artist at the 3rd HiPipo Music Awards in 2015.[10][3] The award is based on a popularity vote on social media voting.[11]
Other awards include;
Zzina Awards, Female Artist of the Year, 2018 and 2019
Abryanz Fashionista Awards, Best stylish Female Artist, 2018
Africa Entertainment Awards: Artist of the Year for Africa, 2019[2]
Police incident 2017
In 2017, Spice Diana was invited to perform at the Kampala City Festival where she was beaten up by the Uganda Police after performing one song.[12][13] She was singing Onsanula, which contains a verse about the police being against the people. She stated on social media that the lyrics may have been the cause of her beating.[14]
Health scare (2022)
In late 2022, she had a health scare which led to hospitalisation and rumors of her death. She later confirmed that she had been treated for a damaged hernia and thanked Jesus for saving her life.[15]
