Veteran singer and philanthropist Halima Namakula has opened up about the origins of Beat FM, one of Uganda’s most recognized radio stations.
In a recent interview, Halima shared that the idea for Beat FM came from a discussion with her eldest son back in 2002. At the time, they had already set up a music recording studio, but faced a common challenge: getting airplay for local artists.
“My son came up with the idea,” Halima said. “We were tired of begging radio stations to play our artists’ music.”
Their solution was simple but bold — create their own platform. Beat FM was launched with a mission to promote homegrown talent and offer local musicians a voice on mainstream radio. The station quickly made an impact and became a go-to hub for Ugandan music.
Halima revealed they eventually sold the station after about two years, mainly due to high operational costs. However, a key clause in the sale agreement protected the brand’s identity. “We included in the contract that the name Beat FM would remain unchanged,” she noted. Though she no longer holds a major stake, she still owns a few shares and remains proud of the legacy they created.
Beat FM’s story is not just about radio — it’s about supporting artists, creating opportunities, and building platforms that serve the local music industry.
