Singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has voiced serious concern over the direction of Uganda’s music industry, particularly the growing trend of songs with inappropriate and vulgar lyrics.
In a candid reflection, the former musician turned opposition leader expressed doubt about the future legacy of some of today’s trending artists, warning that they may risk being forgotten and unrecognized in years to come if they continue down the same lyrical path.
“It’s worrying, and I’m unsure whether artists who sing today will be proud of their musical lyrics tomorrow when their children decide to listen to their compositions 15 or 20 years from now. So, that is a danger to them. They risk not being remembered and recognized,” Bobi Wine said.
Drawing from his own experience in the music scene, Bobi Wine reflected on previous generations of musicians, noting that each era had its share of artists who prioritized shock value over substance—and most of them have faded into obscurity.
“Do you know what it means when people can’t remember your generation, but recall the one that came before you? Even in our regime, we had artists with improper lyrics, and now no one recalls them. Even Basudde’s generation had such artists, but they are nowhere to be heard or seen. What they do today predicts their future,” he added.
The “Kiwanyi” hitmaker further urged young musicians to think beyond trends and short-term fame, advising them to create music they can be proud of decades from now.
“I would advise them to do things and music that they would be proud of after a couple of years,” he emphasized.
As one of Uganda’s most influential voices straddling both the entertainment and political arenas, Bobi Wine’s message serves as a wake-up call to the new generation of artists to think critically about their impact—not just today, but for generations to come.
