Gloriose Musabyimana, the Rwandan gospel singer known to her fans simply as Gogo, has died in Uganda after a sudden illness. She was 36.
Her passing was confirmed late on Wednesday night by a close representative, Bikem Uwayesu, who had accompanied her to Kampala. “We thought it was nothing serious at first,” he said. “But her condition worsened quickly, and despite being rushed to hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival.”
Gogo had travelled to Uganda on 28 August with her team for a gospel crusade in Mbarara. After the three-day event, she moved on to Kampala for promotional work. It was there that she fell ill. Doctors at Kyegera Doctors Center later issued a report confirming her death on 3 September.
Born and raised in Rwanda, Gogo built a following through her heartfelt worship songs, often sung in English with her distinct accent. She gained global attention early this year when South African musician David Scott, better known as The Kiffness, remixed a clip of her singing “Everyday, I need the blood of Jesus.” The track, layered with trumpet and piano, struck a chord online.
By September, the remix had been watched more than 780,000 times on YouTube, where The Kiffness has over three million subscribers. Fans praised not only the playful reworking but also the sincerity of Gogo’s original vocals.
Her death has shocked the gospel community in Rwanda and beyond. Tributes poured in across social media on Thursday, many recalling how her songs had brought hope and comfort to audiences.
Gogo’s rise from a small online following to international recognition was a story of faith, persistence, and the power of music in unexpected places. Now, her voice—both tender and urgent—remains as her legacy.
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