Wednesday 15, the sun rose and set like it was a normal day. Of course, it could have been a normal day but it was 10 years since October 15, 2015.

Stories have been told of how the plan was hatched, apparently, by an artiste, currently an MP in the Opposition, came up with a plan to sing a song praising the president to light up his 2016 campaigns.

However, the artiste lacked influence thus, only his idea was picked but he wasn’t chosen to headline the project, neither was he included on the project in the end. Artistes were mobilised, those who had influence, some refused to join even when the project seemed lucrative, but at the end, 12 were chosen.

King Saha, Rema Namakula, Radio and Weasel, Jose Chameleone, Iryn Namubiru, Julianna Kanyomozi, Haruna Mubiru, Judith Babirye, Mun*G and Bebe Cool were those selected.

Tubonga Naawe. President Museveni with some of the artistes during the onset of the Tubonga Naawe project in 2016. PHOTO /COURTESY

The song

It is said the project was pitched at Shs400m. The 12 were the hottest voices in town in all genres Uganda music has curved out, from hip hop to Ugandan soukous, what we usually call band music.

Only a few names, including Winnie Nwagi, Sheebah, Irene Ntale, Eddy Kenzo and Bobi Wine were missing. When Tubonga Nawe was released, with the video shot at Namboole stadium, with the 12 artistes singing and dancing alongside Annet Nandujja’s troupe, the song was a masterpiece, an earworm, yet for many reasons, it did not sound right.

Ugandans started talking, some felt heavily betrayed by the artistes they loved dearly, while others chose to defend them to the depths. And right there, the artistes had weaponised a fan base, it was confusing.  In 2015, where going viral wasn’t a statement used often, the Tubonga Nawe situation was viral ………………………..CONTINUE READING………………………………