'This place raised me': Joshua Baraka brings food, music masterclass to Bwaise

 
When Joshua Baraka first broke out and said he was raised from Bwaise, a slum, many expressed doubt about his rags-to-riches story.

He doesn’t talk “Bwaise”, and he has a demeanour of an international school alumnus whose knowledge about poverty is only its spelling.

However, Baraka has ignored the naysayers and over the weekend, he returned to Bwaise in his Just Believe Day initiative. At the Kazo playground, the musician donated relief items such as food, soft drinks and sanitary products to various families. The event mainly attracted children, mothers and the elderly.

Speaking at the event, Baraka said Kawempe shaped his journey and success in the music industry, making the outreach deeply personal. “This place raised me. Coming back here is not just charity, its responsibility,” he said.

Beyond the distribution of food and household essentials, the initiative also focused on empowering young creatives. Participants took part in a music masterclass that explored key industry skills such as copyright management, branding, and digital marketing aimed at preparing them for sustainable careers in the creative sector.

The day was also filled with entertainment, featuring rap battles and freestyle sessions. It climaxed with a free live concert headlined by Baraka himself.

Baraka reaffirmed that Just Believe Day is set to expand beyond Kawempe, with plans to reach other underserved communities across Uganda. “We want to reach more communities across the country, especially those that need it most,” he added.

The artist also addressed recent changes in his professional journey, confirming a mutual separation from his long-time management teams, Lobstar and Ssese Nation, after over five years of working together. He said that the split was amicable.