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Writer's pictureBelguin Prosper Lumu

NRM might not be ready for a Bobi Wine and King Saha combination when it comes to a youth revolution.


Bobi Wine and King Saha
Bobi Wine and King Saha during an event.

King Saha (real name Ssemanda Manisul), is a talented artist who has been making waves in the country's music scene for several years with his unique blend of Afro-beat rhythms, soulful lyrics, and unapologetic storytelling.

But recently, King Saha is starting to prove that he is more than just a musician - he's becoming a cultural icon, a voice for the voiceless, and a thorn in the side of the political establishment. These days, with his music, he is starting to tap into the frustrations, hopes, and dreams of Uganda's youth, inspiring a generation to speak truth to power and demand change.


Just like his known friend Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Alias Bobi Wine), King Saha is setting himself apart from other musicians with his willingness to tackle the toughest issues, from corruption and inequality to social justice and human rights. Through his music, King Saha is starting to become a beacon of hope for a generation disillusioned with the status quo, and his influence is starting to extend far beyond the music industry. He is now silently but surgically becoming a symbol of resistance among underground youth, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there's always a way to challenge the powers that be and fight for a better tomorrow.


When you listen to his latest song titled "Tuwagge", he is actually telling a very compelling story and calling for some sort of resistance or uprising. When this song sinks into Ugandan youth in the coming weeks or months, I am compelled to believe that a certain breed of resistance youth is going to emerge. Listen to this song carefully word for word and you will understand that King Saha just like Bobi Wine is another unlikely rebel in the pipeline. When you watch TikTok these days, a lot of his voice clips are being reused by youth to push out messages. Listen to King Saha's new song "Tuwagge;"


In Uganda, music has long been a powerful tool for social commentary and political activism. From the legendary Eddy Kenzo (who is now seen as an NRM sympathizer) to the provocative Bobi Wine (the current Head of Opposition in Uganda), musicians have used their platforms to speak truth to power, challenge the status quo, and inspire change. Music can transcend borders, languages, and cultures, resonating with people from all walks of life. In Uganda, where political dissent is often met with resistance, music is now becoming a vital outlet for citizens to express their frustrations, hopes, and aspirations.

King Saha's music is now becoming more than just a collection of catchy beats and rhymes - it's a clarion call to action, a rallying cry for a generation of Ugandans disillusioned with the status quo. His lyrics are now laced with a sense of urgency, a deep-seated desire to spark change and challenge the powers that be. He is speaking truth to power, unafraid to tackle the tough issues that others might shy away from. From corruption and inequality to social justice and human rights, King Saha's music is now becoming a reflection of the hopes, fears, and aspirations of the Ugandan people. His message in his recent songs is one of empowerment, urging his listeners to take control of their own destiny, to stand up for their rights, and to demand more from their leaders. It's a message that resonates deeply, striking a chord with those who feel marginalized, ignored, or oppressed.


Bobi Wine, King Saha and Nubian Li
Left to Right; Bobi Wine, King Saha and Nubian Li

In addition to Bobi Wine, the youth are starting to see in King Saha a reflection of their own frustrations and aspirations, and his music is going to become a rallying cry for those who are determined to challenge the status quo. From Kampala's bustling streets to the rural villages, King Saha's recent revolutionary music (especially the Tuwagge Song) is currently being played in secret listening sessions and shared on WhatsApp groups, and I anticipate that it will soon be blasted at protests and rallies. It's a soundtrack for a movement, and its impact will be felt for generations to come.


Unless NRM's architects become proactive, I really doubt they will be ready for what comes next when Bobi Wine raises and inspires more people like King Saha.

This is not to be underestimated because from what I see, in King Saha's vision, the streets of Kampala are filled with citizens who are empowered, informed, and unafraid to demand change. And I do not think that this vision is about to change with the King Saha we think we know. King Saha seems to be the kind of person who has planned his contribution to political change to the end and already foreseen all the possible repercussions and is seemingly ready for them. He does not seem to be like other people who talk about change and support for Bobi Wine, yet they can't pay the price when actual "danger" knocks on their door. Most people in the entertainment world will only praise Bobi Wine and post about him in public but betray him in silence in an instant when actual "powers that be" start to fight back or when Bobi Wine does not give them NUP tickets for the next election. King Saha seems to be out of that league and ready to pay the actual price. If King Saha contested tomorrow, it seems people will welcome him in an instant. Not because he is a celebrity but because they feel he is genuinely attached to their concerns just like Bobi Wine. Some others will straight away be scorned by the public before even contests begin.


With regard to King Saha, through his unapologetic lyrics and defiant rhythms, King Saha is starting to emerge as an unlikely rebel, boldly challenging the status quo and inspiring a new generation of Ugandans to demand change.

Let us watch how far this goes.

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