On January 25th 2020, more than 100 Ugandan artists were called upon to perform at the National Resistance Movement (NRM) National Delegates’ Conference at Namboole, Kampala but little did they know that they wouldn’t be enjoying anymore ‘wogos’ as the Coronavirus pandemic struck and has thus brought about online campaigns.
Many Ugandan artistes made a killing during campaigns in previous years, especially those affiliated with the ruling part – National Resistance Movement (NRM).
This year however, the Electoral Commission (EC) released a new election road map, encouraging aspiring leaders to look for ways of taking their campaigns online in a bid to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus that has put the country in both a partial and full lockdown for close to four months.
Here is the List of some Musicians already counting their losses;
Bebe Cool:
Bebe Cool has been regarded as the biggest supporter of the NRM Government, having fought many wars for the regime. Bebe has a number of campaign songs, however, the Easy singer might be counting losses since campaigns are set to be online.
Adam Mulwana:
This opposition supporter shocked fans when he released his hit single – Toka kwa bara bara, praising Besigye ahead of the 2016 General elections. This song became a household anthem in no time, and he surely earned some bucks while at it, even if Besigye didn’t ‘yingiya’. This must be a bad year for him, as he will not be singing this song during Campaigns.
Catherine Kusasira:
The presidential advisor on Kampala Affairs, is by far another ruling Party die hard, many a times, revelers have hurled bottles at her or booed her both in Uganda and abroad but she still secures her bag. Unfortunately, due to omline campaigns, her bag might run dry real quick.
Buchaman:
Mark Bugembe alias Buchaman who is now the President’s special envoy to the ghetto recently joined the ranks of NRM supporters, and was to be lined up to perform during the campaigns ahead of the 2021 general elections, but then came COVID-19 and his recent brutal arrest over inciting violence.
Full Figure:
Nakanguubi Jennifer alias Full Figure also recently joined the NRM Party after departing from the People Power Movement which she claimed had/has no vision. Although popularly know for her vulgar songs like ’emana’, Full Figure was set to make a killing during the upcoming campaigns, but that might not happen. She however, still remains President Museveni’s and the NRM party’s motor mouth, attacking anyone that crosses either.
Raga Dee:
Raga Dee stood for Kampala Mayor under the NRM Party during the 2016 general elections although he miserably failed. He is a veteran and that can’t be contested. He has over the years been one of the chief entertainers at NRM parties, and meetings, however, these campaigns will miss him.
Fiina Mugerwa:
Popularly known as Uganda’s Shakira, she has mostly fallen off the radar but often makes a comeback during election campaigns. This year, is really a bad one for her.
Bosmic Otim:
Having run away from the People Power Movement, Bosmic joined the NRM Camp starting with his 2016 song – Mzee wa kazi Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, that he sang for President Museveni ahead of the 2016 general elections. These elections where going to be another banger for him, but here we are – going digital.
Big Eye:
Five months ago, he made it clear that he would only be performing at NRM events. Due to social distancing and online campaigns, we can say no more.
Ronald Mayinja:
In January, Ronald Mayinja allegedly formed an independent political movement dubbed Peace for All, All for Peace. But our sources have intimated to us that he lacked funds to support his operations and was looking to making some ka money during the campaigns. It seems, that won’t be happening.
There are very many musicians and artistes that were waiting to eat some money during the campaigns from the various political parties now available but the introduction of online campaigns, many are set to miss out on this opportunity, unless they can offer a digital solution.