[4] She worked as a teacher at Lubiri Senior Secondary School between 1989 and 1993.

She went on to sing in choir in school and later as a part time member of "The Wrens", courtesy of her father's guest performances with the band.

She joined Afrigo Band[citation needed] in 1986 when she was nineteen-year-old, replacing her sister, Margaret, also a vocalist who was leaving for Germany.

She has also been involved in grass root campaigns for HIV/AIDS and her face is now recognizable as one of the facilitators for the Nabagereka's annual cultural fete, the Kisakaate.

[6] In 2020, Kawalya participated in the gender identity week organized by Makerere University School of Women and Gender Studies[8] Joanita Kawalya is a mother of two children.