Nabattu Naira Ali (born 5 December 1988) is a Ugandan musician and performer.[1][2][3][4]
Early childhood and education
Nabattu was born on 5 December 1988 to Ssesanga Ali and Ssesanga Hawa,[3][5] She is from the Enjovu (which means Elephant) clan in
Buganda.[6]
She got her primary education at a Muslim Girls Primary School and was awarded her
Ordinary level certificate in 2004 at East High School. She was a member of the East High School entertainment club, known as "Da Bliss Club".[5]
In 2006 she obtained her
A level certificate Kibibi Secondary School served as an entertainment prefect at Kibibi Secondary School.[5][3]
In 2012 she graduated with a Bachelors of industrial and fine art majoring in graphics and fashion desiging from the Margaret Trowell School of Industrial and Fine Arts (MTSIFA) at Makerere University.[5][3]
She wrote and recorded her first song with Dove MC at the age of 14 in true vine studios and produced by Didi in 2001.[3] She was signed by Purple Chord Africa, a music company, in 2015.[3][13]
In 2019 she performed at the Ugandan North American Association (UNAA) convention which was aimed at promoting cultural diversity and economic empowerment through creating a strong diaspora community. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Chicago alongside other muscians who included
Kenneth Mugabi,
Jose Chameleon, and
John Blaq.[14][2][15][16]
In 2009, she was the best central and southern up-and-coming artist at the Diva Music Awards.[3]
Other activities and achievements
Naira has always supported Music For Life Africa (MULIA) Foundation Children. MULIA organises annual charity concerts under different themes on which they raise funds to support vulnerable children with talents and also the Mulia Cultural Academy.[18]
She owns Global Datacard which is a graphics design and printing company.[5]
Controversies
Nabattu was born from a Muslim family of Mr. Ssesanga Ali who allegedly denounced and disowned her for singing the song titled "Sinze" which is a
gospel song. She responded to this by assuring that she "believes in God."[10][19]
In 2019, Naira Ali together with other artists who included
Fille Mutoni, John Blaq and Geosteady were allegedly denied US visas to perform at the UNAA convention because they lacked performing permits.[15][20][21]