Winnie Bwire Ndubi, popularly known as Dida, was a versatile Coast-based actress and artist born in the 1980s.
She possessed a multitude of talents and excelled in various artistic fields, including acting, scriptwriting, songwriting, singing, painting, and interior designing.
Additionally, she was a skilled baker, businesswoman, and a devoted mother. She had a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Fine Art and Design from Makerere University.
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Dida’s artistic journey began at a young age, where her passion for the arts was evident.
Her parents recognised her talent and provided the necessary resources and unwavering support to nurture her abilities.
They encouraged her participation in plays and poetry from the age of six, even enrolling her in holiday programs to further enhance her skills.
Bwire’s professional acting career commenced in 2014 when she made her screen debut on the series ‘Penzi’ aired on Raia TV.
Subsequently, she appeared in other productions such as ‘Kisasa’ and ‘Tehanini’ on Maisha Magic East.
She furthered her acting prowess by joining the ‘Kalimani Dynasty’ on KTN before landing her most beloved role as Dida in the hit Swahili telenovela ‘Sultana’ on Citizen TV.
In ‘Sultana’, Dida portrays a complex character deeply in love with Jabali Junior, also known as JJ.
However, JJ’s heart belongs to the blind protagonist, Sultana, which creates a challenging love triangle.
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Dida’s character displays confusion, tolerance towards her mother’s (Angie Magio), insistence on her marriage to JJ, and a mixture of astonishment, anger, and fear.
She must also confront her forbidden love for Kaka, one of the maids employed by JJ’s father, all while desperately longing for JJ to choose her.
Although Winnie Bwire Ndubi’s on-screen persona navigated through intricate romantic entanglements, her personal life was far from confused.
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In real life, Bwire Ndubi found love and comfort with Dan Sonko, a talented coastal actor known for his roles in regional productions.
Their relationship began after Dan endured the heartbreaking loss of his first wife, who passed away while giving birth to their second child in 2017. Bwire met Dan during his healing process as he tried to rebuild his life, leading to their paths crossing.
After two years together, the couple faced a significant challenge when Dan began struggling with mental health issues. In July 2023, Dan Sonko announced that he had ended his relationship with Bwire.
“I ended the relationship, first for Bwire and me, and we did it for the kids because we did not want to reach a point where we would be fighting through this,” he explained.
The actress was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer in 2022. In a previous interview she said that she laughed when doctors gave her a positive cancer diagnosis report.
“I knew when it was too late. I noticed the things we are taught to look out for are not always there. I did not have those signs.
“I just started having pain under my armpit when my menses came. My first month I ignored it because the swelling disappeared after my menses ended.” she said.
In December 2023, Bwire Ndubi reached out to the public, seeking Sh7 million for essential medical treatment abroad, which was successful.
Fast forward to August 2024, the actress once again appealed to her fans for financial help, this time to raise Sh5 million.
However, barely a month after this appeal, Winnie’s family announced her death in a Turkey hospital.
Beyond her professional achievements, Winnie Bwire Ndubi possessed a few intriguing quirks.
