Joshua Baraka: ‘Why should I only dream of being Uganda’s biggest artiste?’

What the report says

Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka has pushed back against advice that he should first focus on dominating the local music scene before aiming for wider success. In remarks reported by Sqoop Uganda, Baraka said that limiting himself to being Uganda’s biggest artiste would shrink his ambitions, and he argued that some older musicians discourage others because they do not believe such goals are realistic.

The comments came after veteran singer King Saha used a TikTok Live session to warn that international recognition is expensive and uncertain, and that Baraka should concentrate on building a stronger home audience first. Saha’s view reflects a long-running debate in Ugandan music about whether artistes should consolidate their base at home before investing in foreign markets.

Baraka, however, said he wants to think beyond national boundaries and believes music can open doors beyond Uganda. Sqoop Uganda noted that he has already been expanding his profile through a collaboration with Nigerian star Tiwa Savage on "Commando," and that he is preparing a forthcoming "Recess II" project. He is also scheduled to hold his B’raka Land concert in Kampala later this month.

The exchange matters because it highlights the tension between local industry expectations and the ambitions of younger artistes seeking regional or global reach. Sqoop Uganda also pointed to Baraka’s growing online audience, including about 1.7 million monthly Spotify listeners, as evidence of his widening appeal.