World renowned Ugandan music icon Geoffrey Oryema passes on

By Joseph Lubandi

Posted on June 23, 2018

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Geoffrey Oryema commonly known for his Land of Anaka song passed on yesterday evening in Paris after succumbing to bone cancer.

Oryema has been living in France ever since he and his family fled to exile in 1977 after the murder of his father, Wilson Erinyo Oryema who was a Cabinet Minister in Idi Amin’s government.

Oryema earned his global reputation after the release of his second album Beat The Border in 1993 and has since graced a number of international world music stages. He is also famously known for being the pioneer for live acoustic music in Uganda.

In November 2016, he came back to Uganda after 36 years to perform at the Bayimba Festival Concert where he shared his music with different creatives and fans

Several fans and fellow musicians have praised the fallen singer has a legend whose music will live on for decades.

This year seemingly not going well with our Entertainment industry with yet another loss of great icon and son of Uganda who has raised the Ugandan flag so high, Geoffrey Oryema [Official].
Just like you always said, “Rasta’s never die” Rest well. pic.twitter.com/cIkDQpHnSE

— BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) June 23, 2018

Rest In Peace legend!
Sad to hear the passing of Geofrey Oryema, France based Ugandan musician pic.twitter.com/gGdH8ara3H

— Rosebell Kagumire (@RosebellK) June 22, 2018

“Land Of Anaka” (Geoffrey Oryema) https://t.co/T3h0zybc5Q

This song features on my list of top 10 Ugandan songs..

Sad that this great Ugandan has died.

Rest in peace. Thank you for the music.

— Alan Kasujja (@kasujja) June 23, 2018

I interviewed him in 2016 and I got myself this album, From The Heart. His music will stay with us and his message, let it inspire us…… RIP Oryema

— Andrew Kaggwa (@mayigandre) June 23, 2018

My heartfelt condolences to all Ugandans for the loss of one of our great artists, Geofrey Oryema. May His Soul Rest in eternal peace. @kizzabesigye1 @nbstv @892cbsFm @888cbsfm @ntvuganda @SoftPowerNews @nilepostnews @norbertmao @nickopiyo @OpiyoOloya @DailyMonitor @RedPepperUG pic.twitter.com/U10E53gqec

— Erias Lukwago (@EriasLukwago) June 22, 2018