Lets take it from the roots, early 2003, Pastor George Okudi of the Wipolo single, a hit that catapulted him to fame was the first Ugandan pastor-cum-musician to win the Pearl of Africa Music (PAM) Award for Best Gospel Artiste.
Later the same year, the 40 year old gospel minister earned the Best Male Artiste award at the East Africa Awards and Best African Male Artiste Award at the Kora Awards.
Right after that, Okudi kept a low profile and before we could take the next breath, he had dissolved into silence.
For many that never had enough of his magnetic dance strokes to the contagious sounds of Wipolo, they took it to social media for close updates where he shared a few thought once in a while.
During the mysterious disappearance to his new found home in Washington DC., allegations of marital infidelity and of a strained relationship with his wife filtered in, coupled with several rumors of homelessness and immense poverty.
Since then, his reputation has for a while been flawed by scandal, something he could not help but address yesterday through a video that was recorded at his home in Washington DC.
“I know that I have been silent for quite a long time… some people are trying to take advantage of the silence. The devil is trying to take advantage of the silence. So, I am here just to let you know that am well and fine. I am not a ‘yaya’ [A word used to refer to a house help personnel], I am not suffering in the United States,” he said
“Actually, I work with four different organizations, first, I work with a tower of hope organization that is based in Philadelphia. And I also work with another organization called Obama’s Children where I am the travelling secretary. [Displays bronchure of the organization] We feed children all over the world, in every part of the world, and I am the treasurer and travelling secretary,”
He added on to say that he is also the ambassador of African music in the United States, “The embassies here invite me to different places to perform. I also work with a church here called ‘Way to Heaven Ministries’, where I am assistant pastor and help to raise the music group,”
To further disapprove Critics, Okudi said that he has also recorded 300 songs from his own studio ever since he left Uganda.
“I would like to say that what you are hearing out there on social media is intentional malice by some jealousy Ugandans. I am well and I am fine. I am not a baby sitter. I am packing equipment, I am packing guitars, I am packing loud speakers, I am coming back to be a blessing to my people back in Uganda,”
Pastor Okudi discarded all rumors that he had backslidden and longer serving God, “that is totally false. I am and still your number one gospel artist of Uganda who is here with a heart to preach the gospel and sing for Jesus Christ. God does not raise and destroy, but he raises and keeps raising. I love you all. I love Uganda my country,”
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male@ugchristainnews.com/Photo (www.facebook.com/GeorgeOkudi) – Pastor George Okudi [L] posses for a snap with fellow re-known gospel artist Wilson Bugembe [R]
