Can Ugandan artistes ever team up for a classic again?

What the report says

The Observer looks back at a once-common feature of Ugandan music: large collaborative singles that brought many well-known artistes together on one track. The article cites older hits such as Locomotive, A Little Bit of Love, Mr DJ, Omulembe gwaffe and Ladies Night as examples of songs that helped define an earlier era of the industry, while noting that fewer comparable all-star records have emerged in recent years.

The piece argues that changing publicity habits, especially the rise of social media and TikTok livestreaming, have reduced the sense of mystery and “star power” that once made major collaborations feel special. It also points to growing rivalry between artistes, with public disputes and factional loyalties making it harder for performers to share a studio or appear on the same project. According to the article, these tensions can push musicians to choose sides rather than work together.

The Observer further suggests that bigger egos and the commercial growth of the industry have complicated collaboration. It also mentions politics as another dividing line, saying some Ugandan artistes are split into rival camps that do not easily mix creatively. As a result, the article concludes that the classic all-star song remains difficult to replicate, even though isolated recent successes show the format is still possible.