Executive Director of the Uganda Communications Commission Nyombi Thembo has called for a major revival of Kadongo Kamu music, describing it as the true foundation of Uganda’s music industry and cultural identity. Speaking during a meeting with legendary Kadongo Kamu artists at the UCC headquarters, Nyombi said Uganda must protect its musical roots while preparing local music for the modern digital generation.
The meeting was held as preparations continue for the highly anticipated Ataakulaba Music Launch scheduled for July 31. According to Nyombi, the discussions focused deeply on what he described as the “Ensigo” or the seed of Ugandan music and how it can be improved to survive and grow in today’s rapidly changing entertainment industry.
Nyombi explained that although many young artists are producing modern music styles today, a large percentage of the melodies and chord progressions they use are directly inspired by traditional Kadongo Kamu music. He estimated that nearly 60 percent of the sounds currently dominating Uganda’s music scene originate from the country’s original storytelling genre.
He noted that Uganda’s music industry has evolved over several decades. Long ago, Congolese music heavily dominated local radio stations and entertainment venues before Ugandan musicians started creating a unique identity through solo guitar performances and traditional storytelling songs.
According to Nyombi, the introduction of full band instruments during the 1980s helped Kadongo Kamu grow into a stronger and more commercially successful genre. Today, the music continues to entertain audiences across Uganda in bars, concerts, cultural ceremonies, and social gatherings.
The UCC boss stressed that Uganda should never abandon the foundation of its music industry. He compared Kadongo Kamu to the root of a tree, saying no tree can survive or produce fruit if its roots are destroyed. In the same way, he said modern Ugandan music depends heavily on the creativity and groundwork established by early Kadongo Kamu artists.
Nyombi praised veteran Kadongo Kamu musicians for being Uganda’s original storytellers and pioneers of songwriting. He explained that many of today’s successful artists continue to rely on musical structures and lyrical styles first introduced by the older generation of musicians.
As Uganda looks toward the future, Nyombi believes the country must combine cultural heritage with innovation in order to compete globally. He emphasized that preserving authentic African sounds while embracing modern technology is the key to keeping Ugandan music relevant internationally.
One of the biggest areas he highlighted was the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in the music industry. Nyombi said AI should not be feared but instead embraced as a powerful tool that can help artists improve production quality, preserve traditional music archives, and promote Ugandan sounds to global audiences.
He explained that AI and digital platforms can help document old songs, improve sound quality, and make Ugandan music more accessible to younger audiences around the world. According to him, technology can help preserve culture instead of destroying it.
Nyombi also acknowledged that modern music consumers prefer shorter and faster content compared to audiences from previous generations. Traditional Kadongo Kamu songs were often long storytelling epics with deep meanings, but today’s digital audience prefers shorter songs suitable for streaming platforms and social media.
Despite this challenge, he encouraged musicians to find creative ways of shortening songs while still preserving the deep emotional and cultural messages known in Luganda as “amakulu.” He said maintaining meaningful content is what gives Ugandan music its identity and lasting value.
Another major announcement from the meeting was the proposal to establish a special Artists’ Fund aimed at supporting musicians financially and ensuring the long-term sustainability of Uganda’s creative industry.
Nyombi revealed that the planned fund would be managed by experienced financial experts to help musicians secure stable livelihoods and improve financial planning within the entertainment sector.
He noted that many artists continue to contribute significantly to Uganda’s culture and economy but often struggle financially later in life due to limited support systems and unstable income.
The UCC Executive Director said the annual Ataakulaba Music Launch is expected to become more than just an entertainment event. Instead, it will serve as a platform to celebrate Uganda’s musical heritage and promote unity between veteran musicians and younger artists.
He encouraged Ugandans from all walks of life to attend the July 31 event and support efforts aimed at preserving authentic Ugandan music for future generations.
The initiative has already attracted praise from many people in the entertainment industry who believe the revival of Kadongo Kamu could inspire a stronger appreciation for Uganda’s cultural identity.
Music lovers and cultural leaders have also welcomed the idea of blending traditional sounds with modern innovation, saying it could help Ugandan music compete more effectively on the international stage.
As preparations for the launch continue, Nyombi’s message has sparked renewed conversations about the importance of protecting Uganda’s musical roots while embracing the future of technology, creativity, and global entertainment.
