Remembering music legend Herman Basudde

Oct 13, 2019

He won 1994 best Solo country African musician and crowned with a silver medal by Lt. Masiko, deputy director of Political Education, Information & Culture on 19.11.1995.

Herman Basudde sings with his wife Nakitto, a week before he died 06,1997

On 10 June 1997, he went to meet Jane Basirika (concubine) after several days while touring East Africa.

They had a meal as they waited for  Serunjoji. As soon as Serunjoji came, he embraced him. They had had some misunderstanding back ago, so they had a family union. They then set off for Masaka.

 Herman Basudde in a show at Nakivubo 

His father had been paralyzed at home. On their way, they stopped at Lukaya road toll for a snack. Here, Basudde got annoyed with a certain man and he was about to fight him, his friend Sylvester Busuulwa settled the matter.

 Herman Basudde, 1994 best Solo country African musician is crowned with a silver medal by Lt. Masiko, deputy director of Political Education, Information and  Culture on November 19, 1995

He started the vehicle with a lot of anger and at a high speed. Reaching Kabale Bugonzi, a tragedy happened.

 One of the directors of Pride Theatre Complex, Nsubuga, displaying the late Herman Basudde guitar on June 30, 1997

As a lorry was overtaking, Basudde lost control and his vehicle overturned several times. "What a mess this man has caused me!" He had his last breath. That was the end of him. Before Basudde died he insisted that he be buried with his favourite "dry guitar", as he called it.

 Herman Bassude, Livingstone Kasozi and Fred Ssebatta in Munich Germany in 1994

His funeral attracted hundreds of people and appeared like a national function.

Who was Herman Basudde?
He was born on 5th December 1958 to Namyalo Dimitri and Eria Katende of Bubundo, Masaka. He attended Kibanda Primary School and Kitenga Primary School and is said not to have gone beyond Primary School.

 Herman Basudde's wife Nakitto singing 'Nsigadde bwomu' at Pride Theatre 

His first guitar was given to him by Brown Rodgers, a second world war veteran who served with his father, according to Timothy Sserunjogi, his brother. His first song was Amajjini getala luno, which he performed at his local church.

 The late Herman Basudde's wife Aisha Nakitto performing at Pride Theatre 

Basudde is credited as one of the musicians who revived interest in Kadongo kamu, mixing Western and Kiganda music to appeal to a new audience. He had a husky voice and sang passionate songs about mischievous love affairs, philandering husbands, and bizarre witchcraft.

 Herman Basudde's wife Nakitto

In a popular song, Ekiwuka Ekyaga Muntamu, Basudde used metaphor to invoke the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. In the song, the narrator dreams of a lizard-like insect invading his home and despoiling life, food, and sex.

He won 1994 best Solo country African musician and crowned with a silver medal by Lt. Masiko, deputy director of Political Education, Information & Culture on 19.11.1995.

 Heroes Day - President Yoweri Museveni talks to Aisha Nakato who received a medal on behalf of her late Husband Herman Basudde

He was posthumously awarded a medal by President Yoweri Museveni on Heroes Day, 2017.

He produced many songs among them were

  • Abakungubazi,

  • abakyala kyabeeyi,

  • abankuseere, abayiimbi,

  • abayimbi mutuveeko,

  • Africa,

  • Akadda nyuma, or Kelementina,

  • Akyalina nyoko, or Nanziri, or mulekwa,

  • Buddu owedda,

  • Bus dunia

  • Byendabye,

  • Byebalinanga,

  • Byetwalaba,

  • Ebiyita ekiro, or Ekiryo nomuwafu,

  • Eggwala,

  • Ekirooto kyeggulu,

  • Ekitutwala Ku mbaga,

  • Ekiwuka ekyaggwa mu ntamu,

  • ekyali mu sabo

  • Emikwano,

  • enimiro yokukubuganga,

  • Ensi egenze wala

  • Esomero lyabakyala,

  • Esuuti ya kawemba or okwekuuma

  • Kabuladda Anthem,

  • Kasamba lyanda,

  • Kopolo Herman,

  • Linda Ziwere,

  • Milly Nanyondo,

  • Mubune engoye,

  • Mukyala mugerwa

  • Mulamu tonenya,

  • Muwase nju,

  • muyige okwambala.

  • Mwami tonjeza,

  • Mweraba Ngenze,

  • Nabiryo ngenda kunoba,

  • Namagembe,

  • Namuddu,

  • Namuleme,

  • Okuduula,

  • Okuzaala kwa leero,

  • Olulimi oluganda,

  • Olumbe, Omwavu,

  • Pirisiira,

  • Semukuutu.

  • Taso

  • funa akalambe,

  • Tetukyalina bakazi, or omukazi akola,

  • Tudaabirize omukama,

  • Tulabye nnyo abalabi,

  • Uganda ebadde etya,

  • Waliwo byetwalaba,

  • Walumbe e tanda

There are also songs which he collaborated with others like Nabiryo ngenda Kunoba with His sister Nabiryo, Kabuladda, anthem with his Kabuladda guitar singers, Olumbe with Kasozi Livingstone and Mbalire kateteyi.

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