The songwriters behind Uganda’s chart busters

Apr 14, 2005

Ex-seminarian Silver Kyagulanyi, not only penned the hit Omuzadde

One cannot resist the pulling power of Sheila Nvanungi’s Doctor, shapely Winnie Munyenga’s Ssasira or Kyi Onvuma by the photogenic Mariam Ndagire.

However, while the singers seem to enjoy all the limelight, they did not write the smash hits. somebody else did. a little digging by Joseph Batte reveals the identities of the unsung heroes behind the hits

Silver Kyagulanyi
Ex-seminarian Silver Kyagulanyi, not only penned the hit Omuzadde Katonda (The parent is god) for himself, he has since also authored many hits especially for female artistes. He wrote Kyirabe Ebiiso for Kato Lubwama and Brenda Nabiryo.

He gave Sophie Nantongo her biggest hit in Binyuma and Twongere tuvuganye. He penned Kyi Onvuma, the hit Mariam Ndagire is currently riding on.

He also wrote Ekiwangula omutima gw’omukyala for Sheila Nvanungi, which features on her Doctor album. Kyagulanyi wrote all the songs featuring on Akaboozi ka Maka album for late Herman Basudde’s sister Brenda Nabiryo. He also penned the hit Wabanswaliza for Stecia Mayanja, a new artist.

Herbert Ssemogerere
Doctor, was as infectious as a flu virus, and turned Princess Sheila Nvanungi into an overnight singing sensation, was not penned by her, but by the late Eagles Production band lead keyboardist Herbert Ssemogerere. Ssemogerere also wrote Winnie Munyenga’s PAM award-winning Ssasira and Super Man. Sweet Jennifer, which was performed by Ali Yawe during his stint with Diamond Productions and Irene Namatovu’s Naye Abassaja are his works too.

Kato Lubwama
There are many reasons why clownish Kato Lubwama is a respected name on the local entertainment scene. He is a good actor, radio presenter and one of the best songwriters on the local scene. He has a tendency of writing catchy songs that comfortably sit on the ears of fans.

He wrote all the material on Rebecca Jjingo’s hit album Pilot Wange, including the hit track Obwetowaze Bw’omukyala. He also contributed on Angela Kalule’s ballad Akamuli. Love Pool a duet on which he features with Phoebe Nassolo was penned by him.

Travis Kazibwe

The director of Kats Productions, PJ Music and Video Suppliers is not only a hot producer and inventor of that popular beat called ‘Ugandan Reggae’; he is also on the A-list of songwriters. He gave Phoebe Nassolo her hit Kwata Wano.


He penned Ekiri Mudungu, DJ and most recently Akasimu for his wife Betty Mpologoma.

Other songs he has composed are Ekkade Lyange, Sebene and Tinkuula for balmy-voiced Martin Angume, Mukyala Neighbour (Roy Kapale), Tomalako(Nakawunde) Bamuleete Bosco Kayiira and that catchy anti-kyeyo reggaeish track titled Muveeyo Ebulaaya, which was sung by Nathan Bwerenga of Kat Productions.

Innocent Kayizi
He is the magic-fingered producer and groove master who was also the favourite beatmaster for late Elly Wamala. He penned Fuba Okole for Karim Saava.

So groovy was this hit that it remained perched on top of East African TV charts for almost a month late last year. Kayizi also wrote Ebisubiizo for Esther Mpiima, Akafananyi (Martin Angume) and Gunzita (Omukwano) for Fiona Namuddu.

Katherine Kusasira’s Sweet Wange was the top selling album in 2003 and put her in high demand. Credit here should go to her singer/songwriter husband Fred Seruga, who was bred in Makaayi Church choir, Nateete and the defunct Joyous Singers choir but is now a member of the Eagles’ Production band.

He wrote all the songs on Sweet Wange and gave Mariam Ndagire her first biggest hit in Bamugamba. Kusasira’s latest album Sitima Empya was written by him too. Bakyikakase (Mariam Ndagire) and Ebyayita are also his babies.

Ekitooke Kifa Nsalira, which has turned Mesach Semakula’s cousin, Haruna Mubiru, into a sensation, was co-written by Dan Kabenge and Doreen Mutiibwa of Diamond Production band.

Dan Kabenge of Diamond Production band is another songwriter whose strength is in the ‘Arrangement and Editing’ department of songwriting. He arranged Sophie Gombya’s Ngugumuka Ekiro. Last year he wrote the chorus of Winnie Munyenga’s Ssasira.

Winston Mayanja
He is one of the best reggae songwriters. His collaboration with Angela Kalule seems to have been made in music paradise.

He wrote the 15 hit tracks on Dark Chocolate album featuring Angela Kalule’s (K’Angie Mtume) seductive singing, the instrumentation and the production which made the album stand shoulders above most of the similar contemporary stuff .

Jose Chameleoene is a prolific songwriter who has knack for penning hits that instantly turn into gold when released. The only hit song he did not write is Kuma Obwesigwa. It was penned by Chagga.

Kabuye Semboga
He mostly writes for himself and his wife Jane Kayanja, who is a lecturer at Makerere University.

Fred Nkambwe wrote Tofumita lindazi, which introduced former Bakisimba dancer gertrude Nalule to the mainstream.

Geoffrey Lutaaya is one the best songwriters. However, he prefers writing songs only for his wife Irene Namatovu.

Talented singer/songwriter Ronald Mayinja has written songs for himself and others but he prefers to keep quiet and protect their reputation. however, he wrote the choruses for Geoffrey Lutaaya’s album Oli Miss.

A songwriter called Sekandi is believed to be behind the success of Prince Paul Kafeero, while Lord Fred Sebatta has Kasasa and Kibijjigiri to help him out.

Mesach Semakula has now proved he is one of the top songwriters if we are to go by his music. He has also written songs for other artistes like Angela Kalule (Akamuli), Mariam Ndagire (Mulamu Wange) and co written some of her songs. He contributed ideas on the composition of Nvanungi’s Doctor, besides giving a track titled Ekirooto.

Others are Njagala Mukwano (Betty Mpologoma) Nkwagala Nyo (Phoebe Nassolo) Tukyirage(Sophie Nantongo) Nakulinda album( Sophie Nantongo was co-written with Silver Kyagulanyi. Recently, he wrote all the songs on Stecia Namayanja’s album Sisubila.

Nsula Musanyu sung by Mariam Mulinde, was arguably one of the 2003 hits. Her husband Joseph Mulinde wrote this song.

The stars have smiled on trio Blu*3 since they won that Coca Cola music competition. This trio has to thank producer Steve Jean for making them what they are.

He does not only craft the beats for them, but also writes their songs. He is the one who penned, Frisky for them. He also wrote Say It, Seven Days for Julianna Kanyomozi and Nubian Queen for Dorothy Bukirwa.

The Ugandan born South African artist, Titi has tickled us with hits like Segwanga. Late last year she was at it again with hilarious Nsoyiwa Faaza, which unfortunately conservative Catholics do not like at all.

They blasted her for promoting promiscuity. She wrote House Girl for that dancing/ singing and now acting group the Obsessions. She also penned Kanchachanche which Steve Jean gave to his Blu*3 girls.


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