How Michael Ross missed out on Uganda’s star-studded ‘Whistle song’

What the report says

Sqoop Uganda reports that Ugandan singer Michael Ross was originally expected to appear on the 2010s all-star track “Whistle,” a collaboration produced by Just Jose at Swangz Avenue and featuring a wide range of local artists, including Rabadaba, Mun G, Cindy Sanyu, Navio, Radio & Weasel and GNL Zamba. The song is described as one of the standout joint projects of that period in Uganda’s music scene.

According to musician Viboyo, the verse that later appeared in the final version and was performed by Davis Ntare was first written with Michael Ross in mind. Viboyo said Ross heard the material and felt it did not fit his style or artistic identity, so he chose not to use it. The production team then kept the verse and allowed Ntare, who wrote it, to perform it himself.

The report suggests that this behind-the-scenes change quietly altered the final shape of a well-known collaboration that brought together several major Ugandan voices. While listeners came to know Ntare’s contribution as part of the finished song, the account provides context on how studio decisions can reshape a recording before release. The article does not indicate any conflict, only that Ross declined the verse and the track moved forward without him.