A decade ago, Ugandan music was on the rise and so was Afrobeats that was on the verge of global recognition and dominance. By 2015, the Ugandan music scene had grown beyond its roots, and this was characterized by infectious club anthems, and high-profile pan African collaborations, while not losing a touch of home. It was a turning point, as many Ugandan artists saw a surge in commercial success, with artists such as Sheebah Karungi being nominated in the MTV Africa Music Awards for her video ‘Kisasi Kimu’, A Pass collaborating with Konshens, among other artists who made major moves across the Ugandan music board. It was that year that the Nyege Nyege festival as well as Roast & Rhyme were birthed. The two have remained at the core of being a platform for Ugandan musicians, and music creators. Continent wide, this was the year global record labels begun showing interest in African musical talent, seeing them securing recording deals. Still in the same year was when music streaming services started gaining significant traction, democratizing access and discovery connecting African and Ugandan musicians to global audiences in unprecedented ways.
In this piece, we look back at the songs that made 2016 the transformative musical year it is in the history of Ugandan music. Here are the 10 songs that soundtracked our lives in 2016, songs that still move us, define moments, and remind us of where we have been. Here are 10 Ugandan songs that are turning 10 in 2026.
Ceaserous — “Dangerous”
In 2016, Ceaserous took the Ugandan music scene by storm with his unique fusion of a sound like that of The Longombas, Ugandan highlife and melodies on “Dangerous”. Its strikingly colorful music video aside, Ceaserous rode a gentle, minimalist beat, freshened by delicate guitar lines and the subtle percussive touches of Ugandan soft kidandali music. With digestible lyrics and a catchy, easy-to-learn chorus, “Ohh lets whine yo body, Figure yo muliro ebakuba nnyo, Kuba da way u whine up yo body, Ua so dangerous”, “Dangerous” thrived on simplicity, with Ceaserous leaning into cheaky and memorable cheeky metaphors, crafting a track that is “Dangerous” and remains one of Uganda’s most quintessential records: playful, instantly recognizable, and endlessly replayable, and always sounds strikingly fresh with every listen.
Geosteady ft. Charly Na Nina — “Owooma”
The then upcoming Geosteady teamed up with the undisputed queens of Rwandan music Charly na Nina on this magnetic collaboration “Owooma”. “Owooma” is a once-in-a-generation record that perfectly captures the mid-2010s Afro-soul zeitgeist. The irresistibly catchy track not only marked as one of the pioneer +256 x +250 collaborations but also opened doors for more collaborations between Rwandese and Ugandan acts. Among them has been “This is Love” by The Ben and Rema, “Wait” by Axon and Kivumbi King, among others. What is so hard to ignore in this track is the thoughtfully executed percussion and guitar at the start of the song which give it a rhythmic core.
Ykee Benda — “MunaKampala”
From the jump, Ykee Benda proved himself as an exceptional artiste, and song writer. He had earlier been launched into mainstream consciousness, thanks to his Sheebah Karungi assisted remix of “Farmer”, which was released around the same time. Having reached a stratospheric height in his career, Ykee would go on to drop earworms “Malaika”, and others. He stands among the greats of this generation because of his deliberate songwriting and releases. The fluid record was produced by Nessim, while the pair was still at Badi Records. What made it stand out was its intoxicatingly mellow drum patterns and a whistling keyboard motif layered over a mid-tempo groove that celebrates beauty and romance. This was complemented by its sonically rich lyrics. A decade on, “Munakamapala” stands as one of 2016’s great time-capsule records, and a masterpiece whose warmth and cultural resonance refuse to fade.
Bebe Cool – “Kabulengane”
If memory serves you right. You might remember that it was around this time in Ugandan music that every other artist was trying out a thing with the whole Ganda style of music. With Navio dropping “Njogereza”, Aziz Azion with “Am Bad”, the Gagamel bossman Moses Ssali also professionally known as Bebe Cool wasn’t seated either. While passing across a message of his love for women who have morals, dress decent while criticizing the ones who dress inappropriately, have no home keeping manners and bleach their skins them. The song featured Ganda dance among the choreography. Its very intrinsic decision to use local instruments for the song’s production made the song well received and radio ready. Among the other songs he dropped in this run was “Dede” and another Zouk classic “Ssente” which he delivered in Luganda, French, Swahili, and Congolese dialect.
Rema Namakula – “Akaliro”
Not everyone can craft a song about love and leave you yearning experiencing the same, but Rema Namakula succeeds spectacularly and with ease. Considered arguably one of Uganda’s most loved performing artists, vocal heavy weight Rema Namakula expanded her soulful catalogue with “Akaliro”, a beautiful R&B/soul record that was sweetly delivered. In the song, Rema backed by a shimmering saxophone emotively while employing her expressive vocals delivered an anthem longing for her love interest to never allow the spark in their relationship to never die out. The intimate track was simultaneously accompanied with a crisp clear music video, as directed by the talented Sasha Vybz and was set in a rural setting, portraying a love like that in Nigerian/ Nollywood of then. The culturally attuned track was eleased on 29th November of the year 2016 and till to-date “Akaliro” still stands as one of the most cherished love songs of the last decade, and is sang widely at “Kwanjula” ceremonies (traditional weddings) in Buganda.
A Pass – “Wuuyo”
By 2016, A Pass was on a journey to solidifying himself as one of Uganda’s most consistent hit makers. I mean he had songs like “Turi Kubigere”, “Memories (feat. Lilian Mbabazi), “Give me a Kiss”, the muchly loved Konshens Remix of “Gamululu”, among other bangers he had to his name at the time. “Wuuyo” sits there among A Pass (born Alexander Bagonza)’s most popular records. The song captivated hearts for its simple message of a love between two lovebirds, and real life couple Ronnie and Natasha Sinayobye. Scenes like that of Natasha playing hide and seek with Ronnie, Ronnie climbing the tree to get for Natasha mangoes as portrayals of his love, affection and indicator of his provider role as a lover made the story so relatable, hence further impacting the song’s popularity. This song was lifted off A Pass’ debut album “Nva Kampala”, which he dropped with his then label Badi Music. Yes, “Wuuyo” officially turns 10 this year, and a decade later, A Pass hasn’t hit pause on his spree of releasing songs that aren’t only bangers but also those that resonate with the fans. “Buwooma”, “Hollywood”, is of those, if you have listened to his freshly rolled out “MIRACLES” joint EP with Kaboo.
Eddy Kenzo – “Soraye”
Nearly a year after his BET Award win, Eddy Kenzo kept adding bricks to powerhouse star power, this time collaborating more with foreign producers, artists and videographers. Directed by Nigerian music video director and cinematographer Patrick Elis, “Soraye” was shot in Los Angeles (California) and as a standout single, further propelled the performance of his album “Zero to Hero” on which it was featured. “Soraye” is one of those songs that are referred to as “deep cuts” as it is known to those who are stans/ sworn fans. In the same year, Eddy Kenzo collaborated with Niniola for the “Mbilo Mbilo” (Remix), South African Alte group Mi Casa on “Movie Star”, plus”Mariaroza”. Eddy Kenzo, what a man! What a star. Contemporary, Playful yet entertaining has been his style of his definitive catalogue, and we all love it. Who can forget the famous “Ssemyekozo” song and “Tweyegale”, with the famous “awi mi du lesi du”.
Sheebah – “Nkwatako”
Sheebah, often referred to as Queen Karmah, made a triumphant climb to the charts and has since not left when she dropped “Nkwatako” in 2016. The song later got a remix with Nigeria’s Solidstar. On its own, the standouts from the song were quite the figure. From the choreography, the lighting, Sheebah’s energy, the production of the song, the instrumentation, kwegamba, there was everything to love about “Nkwatako”; hence earning a position on here as one of the anthems of 2016. In the same year, she rode shotgun with Chosen Blood on Nessim produced “Wadawa”, her 2016 MTV MAMA Award nominated “Kisasi Kimu” introduced us to Ykee Benda when she hopped on the “Farmer (Remix)” and launched him into the mainstream. 2016 was the year that reaffirmed Sheebah’s influence on the Ugandan music scene till to date.
Bobi Wine Ft Nubian Lee – “Aidah”
Before he could step into his political shoes, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine soundtracked our youth with so many tantalizing records, among them was “Aidah”. On the track, Bobi Wine featured his close friend Nubian Li and it was produced by Bobi Wine’s long time friend and frequent collaborator Sir Dan Magic. On the landmark track, Bobi and Nubian playfully and with wit sing to a fictional African female character who they sing to telling that she can’t escape their love. They also add longing to it. The video also has a humorous accompanying music video as directed by Kim XP, comically choreographed. And oh, it also has a cameo appearance by Zex Bilangilangi. “Aidah” would go on to top the charts and get crazy airplay on radios and Television channels. Uploaded 10 years ago, “Aidah” stands as one of Bobi Wine’s career defining tracks yet, stamping his status as one of this generation’s stars, asides his counterparts Bebe Cool and Jose Chameleone.
Irene Ntale – Semebera
Released alongside a strikingly vintage music video directed by Marvin Musoke and Benon Mugumbya, “Semebera” as produced by Ali Arkhis on 15th April 2016. On the song, Irene Ntale fully leaned into her element delivering a sonically appealing contemporary smooth zouk record. It is one of those few Ugandan songs that you can listen to while on a breezy late night drive for it is so smooth and relaxing. The instrumentation was so on point, and the music video itself does the subject matter justice, for it bridges a love of the olden days, with some modern scenes like of Irene in a candle lit bath tub, and then the club scene where it’s a retro affair with the band playing, and dressed the part. A decade later, “Semebera” continues to exemplify the mechanics of modern zouk at its most effective: tightly constructed, immaculately produced, and emotionally legible version. It’s continued reception of airplay and audience given to it at events further speaks to its generational relevance and classical status. As a lover girl, among Irene Ntale’s other celebrated releases is “Nkubukinze”, “Gwe Aliko” and others.
Which song brings back the memories of 2016 do you think that I might have left out? Do comment them below or share via social. I am @Mugibson on all platforms.