The buzz of campaign songs
Nov 12, 2010
YOU have probably heard the noise – in Kampala, the suburbs, and definitely down to those faraway districts. Basically, the noise is on, with the one in Kampala at unprecedented levels over the past few weeks.
By Dominic Muwanguzi
and Michael Kanaabi
YOU have probably heard the noise – in Kampala, the suburbs, and definitely down to those faraway districts. Basically, the noise is on, with the one in Kampala at unprecedented levels over the past few weeks.
And that is the new way idlers (well…also serious citizens) are spending their energy – whistling, screaming and belting out all sorts of chants and campaign songs.
Clearly, the campaign season is on, the presidential one standing out of them all. And it only just started. You are bound to see more action and drama till February 11 next year, when we choose who takes charge of the country’s number one job.
Just a sign of a candidate passing by gets massive crowds forming really fast. Then chants of campaign songs and slogans take centre stage.
While some are singing “Mzee abewoâ€, meaning President Museveni should stay, others are insisting “Ajja kugenda†(he must leave).
Another group somewhere is saying “Twagala muvubukaâ€, meaning they want a younger leader. Then there is this funny one: “Balina emmundu, tulina obululu†(they have the guns, we have the votes).
Somewhere in the long and at times chaotic convoys is an open-roof car for the candidate to stand out of and wave to the crowds, while way ahead are boda boda cyclists hooting in unison with the chants, skaters and a truck carrying a mobile disco playing songs laced with political messages.
It is just that those playing have more conscious and carefully thought-out messages by the local artistes who did them, as opposed to the random and sometimes offensive chants by the common man on the street.
Nonetheless, it is all the buzz of campaign songs. These songs are taking over, and are likely to sway artistes’ fans in the direction of the candidate the artiste supports.
The latest in the campaign song craze is one from renowned Angenior DJ Danyo, which praises Museveni for his contribution to education and security.
Harriet Kisakye of Eagles Productions has also released one praising and campaigning for IPC’s Kiiza Besigye.
But these are not the genesis of campaign songs.
And though in 2006, Nyongera Ekisanja by Sophie Nantongo was officially endorsed by President Museveni’s campaign team as the official campaign song, this song was only taking its place on a list of other songs from the past.
We had Ronald Mayinja’s Tuli Kubunkenke coming in handy just about that time and was endeared by the opposition for its critical messages, which the artiste probably was not even conscious about while penning it, for it sang hypothetically of the general way of life being hard.
A quick flash back to the 1980 general elections brings to life a chorus praising the late Milton Obote with “Twagala Obote nga sente†(We love Obote like money) and DP’s Eggumire, which carried sentiments of unity.
Fast forward to the controversial one with multiple-meanings- Stamina; which NRM has taken on as its official campaign song for the message that the incumbent is still strong and able.
Earlier-on, Dr. Hilderman’s hit Amelia set the ball rolling as it showered praises on a certain Amelia in Mawokota, who actually turned out to be the real Amelia Kyambadde, now a strong contender of Mawokota North MP, partly due to the momentum the song generated.
And these songs, outside of making the candidates popular, have generated lots of money for the artistes. You could say some intentionally pen the songs to reap big from them in case a certain candidate picks interest in them, seeing as many have been motioned to interest the incumbent, who usually pays big for the projects he gets interested in.
But others just write a song which the political figures listen to intently and deem to fall in line with their ideologies, so they tug it.
Jose Chameleone’s Basiima Ogenze is one of those penned with no political intention, but its message, which literally translates into “they miss you after you are deadâ€, interested Museveni’s campaign managers, who deemed it a potential campaign song then.
Dr. Hilderman also carried home lots of money, while Eddie Kenzo is reaping big.
There are others like Bebe Cool’s Ekisanja (2006), which translates into “another term.†Bobi Wine also recently released Obululu Tebutwawula, which advises us not to make enemies out of the election period. It has not been picked on, probably because its message is general.
For now the campaign songs of the season are Eddie Kenzo’s Stamina, Dr. Hilderman’s Amelia and Chameleone’s Basima Ogenze among many that are swaying fans and voters in all directions.
And with the President recently outing his own, Another Rap, which is in no way political but is nonetheless interesting voters, music is what is driving these campaigns lately.
We would not be surprised if Nobert Mao or Olara Otunnu belted out theirs — or commissioned one by some local artistes, whose role in these campaigns just cannot be ignored.
and Michael Kanaabi
YOU have probably heard the noise – in Kampala, the suburbs, and definitely down to those faraway districts. Basically, the noise is on, with the one in Kampala at unprecedented levels over the past few weeks.
And that is the new way idlers (well…also serious citizens) are spending their energy – whistling, screaming and belting out all sorts of chants and campaign songs.
Clearly, the campaign season is on, the presidential one standing out of them all. And it only just started. You are bound to see more action and drama till February 11 next year, when we choose who takes charge of the country’s number one job.
Just a sign of a candidate passing by gets massive crowds forming really fast. Then chants of campaign songs and slogans take centre stage.
While some are singing “Mzee abewoâ€, meaning President Museveni should stay, others are insisting “Ajja kugenda†(he must leave).
Another group somewhere is saying “Twagala muvubukaâ€, meaning they want a younger leader. Then there is this funny one: “Balina emmundu, tulina obululu†(they have the guns, we have the votes).
Somewhere in the long and at times chaotic convoys is an open-roof car for the candidate to stand out of and wave to the crowds, while way ahead are boda boda cyclists hooting in unison with the chants, skaters and a truck carrying a mobile disco playing songs laced with political messages.
It is just that those playing have more conscious and carefully thought-out messages by the local artistes who did them, as opposed to the random and sometimes offensive chants by the common man on the street.
Nonetheless, it is all the buzz of campaign songs. These songs are taking over, and are likely to sway artistes’ fans in the direction of the candidate the artiste supports.
The latest in the campaign song craze is one from renowned Angenior DJ Danyo, which praises Museveni for his contribution to education and security.
Harriet Kisakye of Eagles Productions has also released one praising and campaigning for IPC’s Kiiza Besigye.
But these are not the genesis of campaign songs.
And though in 2006, Nyongera Ekisanja by Sophie Nantongo was officially endorsed by President Museveni’s campaign team as the official campaign song, this song was only taking its place on a list of other songs from the past.
We had Ronald Mayinja’s Tuli Kubunkenke coming in handy just about that time and was endeared by the opposition for its critical messages, which the artiste probably was not even conscious about while penning it, for it sang hypothetically of the general way of life being hard.
A quick flash back to the 1980 general elections brings to life a chorus praising the late Milton Obote with “Twagala Obote nga sente†(We love Obote like money) and DP’s Eggumire, which carried sentiments of unity.
Fast forward to the controversial one with multiple-meanings- Stamina; which NRM has taken on as its official campaign song for the message that the incumbent is still strong and able.
Earlier-on, Dr. Hilderman’s hit Amelia set the ball rolling as it showered praises on a certain Amelia in Mawokota, who actually turned out to be the real Amelia Kyambadde, now a strong contender of Mawokota North MP, partly due to the momentum the song generated.
And these songs, outside of making the candidates popular, have generated lots of money for the artistes. You could say some intentionally pen the songs to reap big from them in case a certain candidate picks interest in them, seeing as many have been motioned to interest the incumbent, who usually pays big for the projects he gets interested in.
But others just write a song which the political figures listen to intently and deem to fall in line with their ideologies, so they tug it.
Jose Chameleone’s Basiima Ogenze is one of those penned with no political intention, but its message, which literally translates into “they miss you after you are deadâ€, interested Museveni’s campaign managers, who deemed it a potential campaign song then.
Dr. Hilderman also carried home lots of money, while Eddie Kenzo is reaping big.
There are others like Bebe Cool’s Ekisanja (2006), which translates into “another term.†Bobi Wine also recently released Obululu Tebutwawula, which advises us not to make enemies out of the election period. It has not been picked on, probably because its message is general.
For now the campaign songs of the season are Eddie Kenzo’s Stamina, Dr. Hilderman’s Amelia and Chameleone’s Basima Ogenze among many that are swaying fans and voters in all directions.
And with the President recently outing his own, Another Rap, which is in no way political but is nonetheless interesting voters, music is what is driving these campaigns lately.
We would not be surprised if Nobert Mao or Olara Otunnu belted out theirs — or commissioned one by some local artistes, whose role in these campaigns just cannot be ignored.