Maurice Kirya
Maurice Kirya is a celebrated Ugandan musician, singer-songwriter, and actor known for pioneering a genre he calls "Mwooyo" (Luganda for "soul music"). Born on November 4, 1984, Kirya developed a passion for music from a young age, inspired by his mother, the late Sophia Baguma. He officially joined the music industry at 15 and has since built a successful career blending RnB, soul, and folk influences with Ugandan sounds.
His breakthrough came in 2009 with the release of his debut album Misubbawa, which featured hit songs like Wooye and Bodaboda. The album earned him international recognition, and in 2010, he won the RFI Discoveries Award, cementing his status as a pioneer of Ugandan soul music. Over the years, Kirya has released multiple albums, including The Book of Kirya (2012), Mwooyo (2015), Free Dreams (2017), and Beyond Myself (2019) .
Kirya has shared the stage with global artists such as NE-YO, Mark Forster, and Jordin Sparks and has performed in over 35 countries. His accolades include the Pearl of Africa Music Award for Best RnB Artist, the E-World Music Awards, and multiple nominations at the Channel O Music Awards and AFRIMA Awards .
Beyond music, Kirya has ventured into acting, featuring in Hollywood films like The Last King of Scotland and Queen of Katwe. He is also an entrepreneur, running the branding agency Piz & Pots, and organizes the annual Kirya Live Festival. Additionally, he is an activist, collaborating with the UNHCR to support refugee rights and working as a WildAid ambassador for wildlife conservation .
