Drama in Amuru as local musician blocks Museveni’s official campaign song at Paboo rally

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What began as a jubilant campaign rally for President Yoweri Museveni in Amuru District on Monday turned into a dramatic standoff between music and politics, literally.

At around 3:00 p.m., as thousands of supporters gathered at Paboo Primary School grounds to welcome the President to the Acholi sub-region, popular northern musician and NRM loyalist Bosmic Otim shocked organisers by halting the DJ from playing “Yoo Leng,” the official campaign anthem often used to usher Museveni to his rallies.

Bosmic, dressed in a flamboyant yellow jumpsuit, the colour of the ruling party, insisted that his own composition, “NRM Sure,” should take centre stage instead.

“If the DJ switches my song for Yoo Leng, there will be chaos here,” Bosmic reportedly warned, to loud cheers from his supporters.

The unexpected confrontation created visible tension among the organising team, with NRM officials insisting that the president must be welcomed with the party’s official tune. Yet Bosmic, buoyed by a large and vocal crowd, stood his ground until his demands were met.

Before Museveni’s arrival, the atmosphere in Amuru was electric. Hundreds of performers from across the Acholi sub-region, singers, dancers, and drummers, were invited to keep the crowd entertained.

Each local artist was given about a minute on stage, showcasing the region’s musical diversity.

The Lamdogi Aguma traditional dance troupe from Amuru captivated the audience with an original composition, “Kare Pa Kaguta,” a spirited song praising Museveni’s leadership. Their performance sent the crowd into a frenzy of dance and ululation.

Among the high-profile entertainers was Eddy Kenzo, Uganda’s presidential advisor on art and culture, who also took the stage to wild applause.

For much of the rally, Bosmic appeared calm, until whispers spread that the president’s convoy was nearing.

In a sudden burst of energy, he leapt onto the stage with his dance crew and performed a medley of his NRM-inspired songs, including “NRM Sure” and “Museveni Oyee.”

His performance electrified the crowd, turning what could have been a standoff into a celebration.

Many in attendance saw the moment as Bosmic reclaiming his place as northern Uganda’s most prominent pro-NRM artist, after years of political controversy and an on-and-off relationship with the ruling party.

The rally drew about 30,000 people, marking a strong turnout for Museveni’s first campaign stop in the Acholi sub-region.

Wilfred Odiya Baguma, the NRM chairperson for Amuru, told the president that the district would deliver “90 percent of the votes” in the upcoming election, a bold declaration in a region once dominated by opposition parties such as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Two former opposition figures, Michela Lakony, the Amuru LCV Chairperson, and Anthony Akol, the Kilak North legislator, have since crossed over to the NRM and are now spearheading Museveni’s mobilisation efforts in the north.

‘Wealth creation and improving livelihoods’

When Museveni finally took the podium, he seemed pleased, both by the turnout and the enthusiasm.

He praised Amuru’s rapid growth, noting that the district’s population had reached 248,000 in the 2024 census, up from just 16,000 when Kilak County was first established in 1994.

“This growth shows that our health programs are working,” Museveni said. “Without vaccination and good health infrastructure, we wouldn’t see such numbers.”

The president promised to focus his next term on wealth creation and improving livelihoods in the region.

From Amuru, Museveni was expected to continue his campaign trail to Nwoya District, home of NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, and later to Omoro District, birthplace of the late Jacob Oulanyah, former Speaker of Parliament and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda.