Joshua Baraka has been a subject of very many narratives this year. From some people questioning his nationality to Kenyans claiming him, the man has been on a roll.

But besides all that, this year saw the artist go on his first world tour as a headlining artist and later, had his first Ugandan concert silencing doubters who have always talked about him not having a fanbase in Uganda.

Yesterday, Spotify Wrapped was announced.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 is a personalized annual review of your listening habits, besides it being personal however, the review dives deep into communities and countries listening habits.

The Ugandan numbers were exclusively sent to sQoop team and Joshua Baraka is dominating it as well.

It should be noted that this year, Joshua Baraka became the first Ugandan artist with at least five hundred thousand monthly listeners on Spotify, if that wasn’t enough, he stretched it by hitting a million monthly listeners, also a first in Uganda’s history.

Ugandan numbers

Afrobeats has Uganda in a chokehold with seven of the country’s top 10 most-streamed songs coming from Nigeria; continental favourites like Faceless’s Venus and Chella’s My Darling became local anthems. On the Top Artists and Top Albums charts, the dominance repeats itself — Burna Boy, Davido, Rema, Ayra Starr, Ruger, and Asake sit comfortably alongside global giants like Drake and Chris Brown, shaping Uganda’s musical appetite with near-total control.

But beneath the wave of West African supremacy, the story of Uganda’s 2025 listening habits carries a different kind of electricity — one driven by a new generation of Ugandan musicians who are refusing to be drowned out. At the centre of this quiet but powerful rebellion is well, Joshua Baraka.

His track Wrong Places, produced alongside British-Ghanaian hitmaker JAE5, surged to number one, beating out Davido and even Kendrick Lamar on home turf. From the promise of Baby Steps to the global sheen of his latest album Juvie, Baraka has transitioned from local favourite to cultural catalyst. His success marks a turning point: proof that Ugandan artists can command the charts even in the era of Afrobeats domination.

The resistance doesn’t end there. The sensual, nightlife-ready banger Tabbu by Dax Vibez and Ava Peace broke into the top 10, its vocal chemistry and club energy reinforcing that local collaborations can stand shoulder to shoulder with any international feature. Meanwhile, underground talent found new light. FYNO UG’s Che Che cracked the top 20, amplifying a homegrown African Dancehall ethos that is gritty, raw, and unmistakably Ugandan. On the Top Artists chart, Elijah Kitaka — once known only as a session drummer — nearly broke into the top 10, his Afro-soul sound and hits like Good Idea with Dax Vibez signalling a more refined, musically ambitious future for the industry.

Taken together, the 2025 Wrapped results reflect a subtle but significant shift in Uganda’s music story. Afrobeats may continue to dominate the speakers, but local artists are no longer playing catch-up. They are building worlds, telling stories, and setting standards in ways that resonate deeply with listeners. This was the year Uganda stopped asking for permission; the year its musicians claimed their lane with confidence.

Spotify Wrapped 2025 Top Albums in Uganda

Spotify Wrapped 2025 Top Artists in Uganda

Spotify Wrapped 2025 Top Songs in Uganda

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