Music continues to play a vital role in the life of God’s people today. Although contemporary culture and modern technology bring new possibilities and new challenges to the music ministry of the church, the principal direction for singing is to the Lord (Ps. 96:1).
Award winning Gospel minister and Pastor, Justine Nabbosa released her single, “Oli Katonda” at a time many thought she was most comfortable with featuring in Pr Bugembe’s songs. Although it is the platform that brought her to the limelight, “Oli Katonda” has broken barriers and stretched her garrisons beyond she wildest expectations.
Many Christians relate to her song saying that it was composed with earnestly, sweetness and highest degree of delight for God’s Majesty. But how many know how this song came to be?
The untold story as revealed by Justine Nabbosa
She Narrates. I lead worship in churches and for so long, I had an intense desire for a specific song. Every-time I led worship, I would reach a point in leading and I felt there is a song I wanted to sing next, but couldn’t find it. I felt I always wanted to sing this song that exalts God and lifts him high where no body else is. And every time I got to that point in worship,I would get stuck.
I remember asking Price Love, one of my friend, to compose me a song. She gladly wrote one and when I received and sung it, I still felt there was something missing.
One day, I attended a conference where Don Moen was a guest speaker. He talked about worshipers and song compositions – that was one of my challenges – I would sing but never compose a song yet, I wanted to sing a song birthed out of me.
Sometimes I would have the words but not the melodies. Don Moen in his teaching said; If you want to compose songs don’t complicate things will all sorts of complicated phrases; he said a song idea can be just a small melody that comes when you are digging, doing housework, bathing. He said when you get such tunes, always move with a recorder and record them immediately; You can develop them later.
With that in my mind, one day I was attending a conference organised by Pr Micheal Kimuli’s Church. After the preaching, we prayed, it was deep fervent prayer, I was so desperate for God and there was such grace for prayer, I remember pouring my heart out, sitting down under the chairs, praying in tears that melody begun to flow in my head.
I had a song – Someone was playing a piano and the song that came to my heart was ‘Oli Katonda, wewunyisa.’ I was amazed at God! The fact that he had given me the grace to pray when I was so desperate in spirit. When I sang it, it blessed my heart, it blessed me more. I remembered the advice from Don Moen. I went and grabbed my phone from the bag and started singing that chorus.
Later when I came home I told my friend, Florence, that I finally got a song I had been yearning to compose. I played it over and over again. The song could not stop blessing my heart. I kept singing it in the bathroom bedroom – every time. Florence went ahead and helped me this song. She brought some verses, I brought mine too – I went to studio and recorded it.
Just after a part recording, I cried listening to it. I felt so inspired. I felt the anointing of God on the song and knew God is going to use this song for His glory.
