Veteran Kadongo Kamu singer Jamil Namulanda has taken centre stage in a growing debate within Uganda’s music industry, openly expressing disappointment with comments made by Uganda National Musicians Federation president Eddy Kenzo. Namulanda did not hide his frustration, saying that statements which appeared to compare older musicians to the current generation were disrespectful to pioneers who laid the foundation for Uganda’s music scene. Speaking during an interview, Namulanda firmly stated that artists of the Kadongo Kamu generation created the stepping stones that today’s musicians now walk on. He argued that without the early singers who struggled to introduce local music styles to the public, many modern artists might not have found an industry ready to support them. According to him, the pioneers set the standard that shaped the direction of Ugandan music, making it easier for later generations to grow their careers.
Jamil Namulanda is not a man who speaks softly. When he opened his mouth to respond to Eddy Kenzo, he made sure the whole country heard him. He did not just ask for respect. He pulled out his receipts. Looking straight at the camera, Jamil declared, “I am much richer than you, Eddy Kenzo.” And then he backed it up with numbers that would make anyone stop and think. He said he owns about three houses worth around 200,000USD. He owns over seventy cars of different brands, including newer models. He has farms, land, and many businesses running smoothly. And here is the kicker. He said he has never begged the government for money like some of these young artists do. He built everything quietly, without noise, without posting every purchase on social media. On top of all that, he has a massive family of one hundred and one biological children and more than one hundred and twenty grandchildren. So while Kenzo talks about modern success, Jamil is showing that wealth did not start yesterday. It was just built differently.
But Jamil did not stop at talking about money. He went deeper. He reminded everyone that Kadongo Kamu is the oldest indigenous music genre in Uganda. The name literally means “one little guitar” in Luganda, referring to the single acoustic guitar that traditionally provides the backing for the singer. Unlike modern pop music, the focus of Kadongo Kamu is storytelling. It functions like a musical audiobook, where the artist acts as a teacher or social critic, using long, detailed verses to discuss life lessons, cultural heritage, and social issues. Jamil said that if it was not for the Kadongo Kamu singers to start singing in Uganda, those of Eddy Kenzo would have had no stepping ground for their music careers. He said, “We became their benchmark. Therefore, we are better than Kenzo.”
Jamil was responding to comments that Eddy Kenzo made recently. Kenzo, who is the president of the Uganda National Musicians Federation, had praised artists of his own generation for “changing the narrative.” He said they focused on their appearance and encouraged fellow musicians to invest in their public image. Then he contrasted this with the older generation, suggesting that they did not achieve similar success financially or professionally. That is when Jamil saw red. He said, “The fact that Kenzo has been able to fly to different countries does not mean that he is the best musician in Uganda. He should learn to respect music legends like me.” Jamil called on Kenzo to change his ways and apologize. He said, “Eddy Kenzo is just a young man, not only in stature but also in music.”
Now, Jamil Namulanda was not the only veteran who felt insulted. After he spoke, other legends of Kadongo Kamu came forward to add their voices. Led by veteran singer Fred Sebatta, the group made it clear that Kenzo’s words were not just careless. They were deeply disrespectful. Joining Sebatta were other big names from the old school like Kibijigiri, Kazibwe Kapo, and Willy Mukabya. These are names that built the foundation of Ugandan music with their raw voices and storytelling. And they wanted the world to know that the older generation did not fail just because they did not have flashy cars or international tours.
Fred Sebatta, in particular, had a lot to say about the challenges his generation faced. He highlighted that artists of their era had nobody to give them money. There were no corporate sponsors. No government handouts. No social media to push their songs for free. They had to fight for everything on their own. Sebatta even opened up about something very personal. He revealed that during his time, getting a loan meant dealing with extremely high interest rates. That pressure pushed him into debts that reached nearly 260 million shillings. And even now, he is still carrying that burden. He said, “We worked hard under extremely tough conditions, yet we are being judged unfairly for not having the same privileges as the current generation.” For Sebatta, Kenzo’s comments felt like a slap in the face to every old musician who bled for the art.
This whole situation has opened up a much bigger conversation in Uganda. The younger generation of musicians has many advantages that the old guards never had. They have access to recording studios that cost almost nothing. They have social media to push their music to millions of people for free. They have companies willing to pay them for brand endorsements. They have travel opportunities and international collaborations. The veterans had none of that. They sang on makeshift stages under the hot sun. They sold their music on cassettes that they had to record one by one. They drove themselves to shows in old cars that broke down on dusty roads.
So when Eddy Kenzo says that his generation changed the narrative, the veterans hear something else. They hear a young man forgetting where the road came from. Jamil Namulanda said it best when he declared that instead of promoting and supporting his fellow musicians, Kenzo tries so much to demean them. That is not right. And now, the old men of Kadongo Kamu are waiting. They are waiting for an apology. Not because they need it to survive but respect costs nothing.
