Born Ernest Nsimbi in 1986 in Uganda's Mukono district to a technical electrical engineer and civil servant, GNL Zamba was first encouraged toward music by his grandmother, a leader in the church choir. The family settled into Kampala city's Kawempe slum following the Ugandan civil war, at a time of continuing instability and poverty, which shaped the upcoming artist into a storyteller who drew inspiration from the struggle of his youth. In secondary school, GNL served as the head writer of "The Kiira Mirror", a member of the debate team, and chairman of the junior literature club. He went on to graduate with honours from Makerere University with a bachelor's degree in Environmental Management. Through the success of his music career, GNL was able to open a sports bar and bought land around Uganda.