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World Music Artist Omega Bugembe Okello Returns To Uganda For Benefit Concert

AlexOm Productions' artist and world music songstress Omega Bugembe Okello returned to her homeland to perform a benefit concert on Aug. 29th.

The concert raised funds that will specifically support Mulago Hospital's maternity ward (the nations only referral hospital) with the intention of helping decrease the high maternal mortality rates. Proceeds from the concert will be used to purchase much needed surgical beds, which will help allow high-risk pregnancy women to have surgery in a timely manner.

"I believe that mothers shouldn't have to die during childbirth," explains Omega. After talking with the hospital's chief OBGYN, Omega carried out her own assessment of the maternity ward's needs; giving her a vision for bettering the healthcare of Ugandan mothers and their children. "This concert was explicitly designed to raise funds to benefit the maternity ward of Mulago Hospital through the purchase of operating beds and anesthetic machines."

Omega recently released her new album titled Kiwomera Emmeeme, which in Luganda means, "it is sweet to the soul." This album is an explosion of ethnic and western sounds and is available online and in stores such as Circuit City, Wal-Mart & Best Buy. Her current singles "Mujje" and "He Won't Leave You" are fresh, up-beat selections that include international flair and are a nod to her musical heritage as she performs them in English and her native tongue, Luganda.

At the age of four, Omega began her music career as one of the first and youngest members of the African Children's Choir; a group that toured throughout North America and Europe to raise awareness of the plight of war-torn Uganda.

Omega has worked with several institutions on health issues including New York Presbyterian Hospital (New York, NY), the Norwalk Health Department (Norwalk, CT), the Connecticut Primary Care Association (New Haven, CT), the Yale School of Medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and Group Health Hospital (Seattle, WA).

After receiving a BA in Biology from Seattle Pacific University, Omega went on to pursue and receive a masters degree as one of 30 students admitted to the only Masters in Health Advocacy program in the US at Sarah Lawrence College.

"I have always been interested in improving access to healthcare and bringing healing to the world. It is what I studied in school and trained to do. I am convinced that I can contribute meaningfully and globally to improve access to healthcare if I just put my mind to it."

In addition to health advocacy, Omega works in various capacities to improve access to education for African children. Through her past involvement with the African Children's Choir, she has helped raise funds to facilitate primary and high school education for over 5,000 African children who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity to attend school. Presently, Omega has teamed up with Ugandan and international partners to start the Alpha and Omega School in Kampala, Uganda; providing scholarship-based primary education for over 300 students.

For more information about Omega Bugembe Okello, visit her online at www.omegaworldmusic.com or www.myspace.com/omegaworldmusic.