Priscilla Zawedde is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, and performer professionally known as Azawi, celebrated for her role in redefining contemporary Ugandan music on the regional and global stage. Born and raised in Kampala, she emerged from a background in dance and songwriting to become one of the country’s most influential female artists. With a sound rooted in Afrobeats and enriched by pop and R&B influences, Azawi is recognized for her expressive songwriting, confident stage presence, and commitment to creative authenticity. Since rising to prominence under Swangz Avenue, she has consistently pushed artistic boundaries, achieved historic international visibility, and positioned herself as a defining voice of a new generation in Ugandan music.
Priscilla Zawedde Profile Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Priscilla Zawedde |
| Stage Name | Azawi |
| Date of Birth | 2 February 1996 |
| Place of Birth | Kampala, Uganda |
| Nationality | Ugandan |
| Profession | Singer, songwriter, dancer |
| Music Genres | Afrobeats, Pop, R&B |
| Languages | Luganda, English |
| Education | Bachelor of Commerce |
| University | Makerere University |
| Primary Schools | Buganda Road Primary School; Mother Kevin Primary School |
| Secondary School | Lubiri High School |
| Record Label | Swangz Avenue |
| Year Signed | 2019 |
| Breakthrough Era | 2019–2020 |
| Apple Music | https://music.apple.com/ug/artist/azawi/1492296614 |
| https://www.instagram.com/azawiofficial/ | |
| Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZP6cKnFDw_cewhqxeKmaA |
Priscilla Zawedde Early Life
Priscilla Zawedde was born on 2 February 1996 in Kampala, Uganda, where she was also raised. Growing up in the capital exposed her early to the country’s vibrant urban culture, music, and dance traditions, which would later shape her artistic identity. From a young age, she showed a strong inclination toward performance, particularly dance, which became her first creative outlet.
She received her primary and secondary education in Kampala, attending institutions that supported both academic and extracurricular development. During her school years, she actively participated in dance groups and performance activities, steadily building confidence on stage and developing a disciplined approach to the arts.
After completing secondary school, Priscilla Zawedde enrolled at Makerere University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. While pursuing her university education, she remained deeply involved in creative work, balancing academics with dance, songwriting, and performance. This period proved formative, as it sharpened her work ethic and clarified her ambition to pursue a professional career in the entertainment industry, ultimately laying the foundation for her transition from dancer to recording artist.
Priscilla Zawedde Education
Priscilla Zawedde received her formal education in Kampala, where she attended several well-known institutions that contributed to both her academic grounding and personal development. She completed her primary education at Buganda Road Primary School and Mother Kevin Primary School, before proceeding to Lubiri High School for her secondary education.
Following secondary school, she enrolled at Makerere University, where she earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree. Her time at university was significant not only academically but also creatively. While studying commerce, she remained actively engaged in the performing arts, particularly dance.
Before fully committing to a music career, Priscilla Zawedde was deeply involved in dance troupes, where she refined her stage discipline, performance confidence, and artistic expression. Dance was her initial professional focus and served as a critical foundation for her later transition into songwriting and singing, shaping the performance that defines her music career today.
Priscilla Zawedde Personal Life and Family
Priscilla Zawedde maintains a deliberately private personal life, choosing to keep family matters and intimate relationships largely outside the public spotlight. This approach has distinguished her within Uganda’s entertainment industry, where public visibility often extends into personal affairs. Her restraint reflects a clear separation between her professional identity as an artist and her life beyond the stage.
She was born into a Ugandan family and raised in Kampala, where her upbringing played a formative role in shaping her discipline, independence, and resilience. Priscilla Zawedde was born to the late Samuel Walusimbi and Mary Nakamatt, Her father passed away in 2012 when she was still in secondary school, after which her mother, who worked in a salon, struggled to support her and her two siblings. Priscilla began earning money from songwriting during this time to help her family, What is consistently evident, however, is that her background instilled strong values of hard work and self-reliance
Azawi is not married and does not have a husband but She has previously stated in a 2024 interview that she is no longer single and is in a private relationship with someone of a different nationality, but She has mentioned past heartbreak from dating a married Ugandan man and chose to keep their relationship private.
Overall, Her ability to maintain this boundary has allowed her to navigate fame while preserving a sense of normalcy, stability, and control over her narrative an approach that continues to shape her reputation as a serious and self-directed artist.
Priscilla Zawedde Career and Achievements
Priscilla Zawedde is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, and dancer whose career represents one of the most significant success stories in Uganda’s modern music industry. Performing under the stage name Azawi, she is widely recognized for her Afrobeats-driven sound, delivered in a blend of Luganda and English, and for her ability to merge strong songwriting with polished stage performance.
Her professional breakthrough came in 2019, when she was signed to Swangz Avenue, one of Uganda’s most influential entertainment companies. This signing marked a decisive turning point in her career, transitioning her from behind-the-scenes creative work into a fully developed recording and performing artist. Under Swangz Avenue, Azawi was positioned with a clear artistic identity, high production standards, and strategic visibility that rapidly elevated her music.
Azawi’s rise to prominence was driven by the strong reception of her early releases, particularly singles such as “Quinamino,” which resonated with audiences in Uganda and beyond. These songs established her as a distinctive voice within the Afrobeats space while also demonstrating her songwriting depth and commercial appeal. Her music gained consistent airplay, digital traction, and critical attention, firmly placing her among the leading artists of her generation.
In 2021, Azawi achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first female Ugandan artist to appear on major international billboards, including prominent displays in Times Square, New York, and Los Angeles. This achievement represented more than personal success; it marked a symbolic breakthrough for Ugandan music on the global stage, signaling increased international recognition of the country’s contemporary artists, particularly for women.
Beyond recorded music, Azawi has built a reputation as a compelling live performer. She has appeared at high-profile platforms and events, including the Forbes Woman Africa Leading Women’s Summit, where her presence underscored her growing influence not only as an entertainer but also as a cultural figure and role model for young women across Africa.
Her commercial appeal has also translated into major brand partnerships. Azawi has served as a brand ambassador, notably for Guinness, aligning her image with internationally recognized brands and reinforcing her status as a marketable and influential artist. These endorsements reflect both her popularity and her credibility as an artist whose image resonates across music, youth culture, and lifestyle branding.
Collectively, Priscilla Zawedde’s career is defined by strategic progression, artistic control, and landmark achievements. Through disciplined development, international visibility, and sustained relevance, Azawi has secured her position as one of the most prominent and impactful female artists in Uganda’s contemporary music Industry.
Priscilla Zawedde Awards and Recognitions
Priscilla Zawedde has earned a reputation not only as a commercially successful artist but also as one of the most decorated and influential female musicians of her generation in Uganda. Her awards and long-term impact reflect both critical recognition and cultural significance within the country’s evolving music industry.
Azawi has received multiple major Ugandan music awards, recognizing her excellence in songwriting, performance, and overall artistic contribution. She has won accolades across leading national award platforms, including Artist of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Contemporary / Afrobeats Act categories. These honors affirm her dominance during peak periods of her career and her consistency in delivering music that resonates with both audiences and industry professionals.
In addition to competitive awards, she has received industry recognition for international visibility, most notably following her historic appearance on major global billboards in 2021. This achievement is regarded as a landmark moment for Ugandan music, particularly for female artists, and is frequently cited as a breakthrough that expanded the international perception of Uganda’s contemporary music genre.
Azawi has also been honored through nominations and recognitions at regional and pan-African platforms, reflecting her growing influence beyond national borders and positioning her among East Africa’s leading modern artists.
Priscilla Zawedde Legacy and Cultural Impact
Azawi’s legacy is firmly rooted in her role as a trailblazer for women in Ugandan music. She emerged in an industry long dominated by male artists and quickly established herself as a leading figure through artistic confidence, strong creative control, and consistent professional discipline. Her success has helped redefine what is possible for female musicians in Uganda, both commercially and artistically.
She is credited with helping modernize Uganda’s Afrobeats sound, presenting music that is culturally grounded yet globally competitive. By balancing Luganda and English lyrics with contemporary production, she has contributed to making Ugandan music more accessible to international audiences without sacrificing local identity.
Beyond music, Azawi’s influence extends into youth culture, fashion, and brand representation. Her collaborations with major brands and appearances on high-profile platforms have reinforced the viability of Ugandan artists as global cultural ambassadors. She is frequently cited as an example of how strategic artist development, education, and professionalism can lead to sustainable success in the creative industries.
In sum, Priscilla Zawedde’s awards and legacy reflect more than personal achievement. They represent a broader shift in Uganda’s music Industry one in which female artists command visibility, creative authority, and international respect. Her impact continues to shape industry standards and inspire the next generation of Ugandan performers.
Conclusion
Priscilla Zawedde stands as one of the most defining figures in Uganda’s contemporary music history. From her formative years in Kampala to her rise as an internationally recognized artist under Swangz Avenue, her journey reflects discipline, strategic growth, and artistic conviction. She successfully transitioned from dance to songwriting and ultimately to music performance, building a career anchored in creative authenticity and professional excellence.
Her achievements ranging from national awards to historic international visibility have reshaped perceptions of what Ugandan artists, particularly women, can accomplish on the global stage. Beyond accolades, her legacy lies in her influence: modernizing Uganda’s Afrobeats sound, expanding cultural representation, and setting new standards for female artistry and leadership within the industry.
Equally significant is her commitment to privacy, education, and self-definition, which has reinforced her image as a focused and principled Artist. As her career continues to evolve, Priscilla Zawedde remains not only a symbol of artistic success but also a benchmark for ambition, resilience, and cultural impact in African music.
Frequently Asked Questions About Priscilla Zawedde
1. Who is Priscilla Zawedde?
Priscilla Zawedde is a Ugandan singer, songwriter, dancer, and performer, professionally known as Azawi, one of Uganda’s most influential contemporary music artists.
2. What is Priscilla Zawedde’s stage name?
Her stage name is Azawi.
3. When was Priscilla Zawedde born?
She was born on 2 February 1996.
4. Where is Priscilla Zawedde from?
She was born and raised in Kampala, Uganda.
5. What kind of music does Azawi make?
Azawi primarily makes Afrobeats, blending pop, R&B, and African rhythms, with lyrics in Luganda and English.
6. How did Priscilla Zawedde start her career?
She began as a dancer, later transitioned into songwriting, and eventually became a recording artist.
7. Which record label is Azawi signed to?
She is signed to Swangz Avenue, a leading Ugandan music label.
8. When did Azawi join Swangz Avenue?
She joined Swangz Avenue in 2019.
09. What was Azawi’s breakthrough song?
Her early breakout came with songs like “Quinamino”, which gained strong local and international attention.
10. What are Azawi’s biggest achievements?
She became the first Ugandan female artist featured on major international billboards, including Times Square, and is widely recognized for elevating Ugandan music globally.
11. Has Priscilla Zawedde won awards?
Yes. She has won multiple Ugandan music awards and is consistently ranked among the country’s top female artists.
12. Does Azawi write her own music?
Yes but not all, She is a songwriter and has also written music for other artists.
13. Is Priscilla Zawedde involved in brand endorsements?
Yes. She has served as a brand ambassador, including partnerships with major brands such as Guinness.
14. Is Priscilla Zawedde married?
She is not yet married but she had publicly discussed about a romantic relationship with an undisclosed lover.
15. Does Azawi have children?
No, there are no records of her having children yet.
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