By Staff Writer | Borkena
NAIROBI, Kenya — The 5th Hachalu Hundessa Awards Ceremony was held on June 30, 2026, at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa. The annual event, organized by the Hachalu Hundessa Foundation, commemorates the late Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa, who was assassinated on June 30, 2020, and honors individuals who have made significant contributions to Oromo arts.
This year’s ceremony marked the fifth anniversary of his death and featured recognition of artists and professionals for their contributions to Oromo cultural expression.
At the event, Mrs. Fantu Demisse, the wife of Hachalu Hundessa, delivered a speech expressing her continued grief and concern that full justice has not yet been achieved in connection with her husband’s death. She said that the location where his body was found differs from the actual place where he was killed, adding that she continues to seek clarity on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
She thanked the Creator for giving her strength to endure the difficulties and emotional strain since his passing. Mrs. Fantu also emphasized that she will continue to remember her husband and work toward ensuring the truth is revealed.
She further called on people in Ethiopia and abroad to pray for the truth about Hachalu Hundessa’s killing to be uncovered.
Hachalu Hundessa was shot and killed on June 30, 2020. He was taken from the Geran condominium area to Tirunesh Beijing Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Following his death, the Federal High Court sentenced three individuals on August 4, 2021. Tilahun Yami was sentenced to life imprisonment, Kebede Gemechu received 18 years in prison, and Abdi Alemayehu was sentenced to six months.
Another individual, Lamrot Kemal, an eyewitness, was initially taken into custody in July 2020 and later released. She was re-arrested a month later after the prosecution filed charges but was ultimately acquitted in March 2021 due to insufficient evidence.
On June 18, 2021, Mrs. Fantu announced the establishment of the Hachalu Hundessa Foundation and the launch of an annual awards ceremony held every June 30 in his honor. She noted that the awards currently focus on Oromo music, with plans to expand to other languages in the future.
At the 5th Hachalu Hundessa Awards Ceremony held on June 30, 2026, awards were presented in 13 categories. Several artists, including Colonel Shaleqa Sehale Degagon, were recognized for their contributions to Oromo music.
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That young man was sadly and suddenly had his life cut short by bigots and connivers. In the short period leading to his savage murder, he was said to have been focused in charting new course in his life beyond entertainment. In doing so he even took a loan from a bank to finance his new project. At the same time bigots and connivers were bugging him to start writing songs for their evil scheme which he politely refused. Then they started rumors that he had sold his soul to the devils in the regime. It did not take too long before someone sent demons and assassinated him.
I hope his family is taken care off and we all wish his grieving widow the strength to bear it all.
May he rest in eternal peace.