For years, Ugandan artists have chased the dream of crossing borders and conquering international stages.
Some have come close, others continue to push, but according to singer A Pass, the biggest barrier might not be the industry, the money, or even the market but the mindset at home.
Speaking about the challenges Ugandan creatives face, the “Tuli Kubigere” singer said the culture of constant criticism often crushes innovation before it has a chance to grow.
“It’s difficult to go global in Uganda because we hate our own,” A Pass said.
He explained that whenever someone attempts something unique or different, the reaction is rarely encouragement. Instead, many people immediately start searching for flaws.
“Someone will see you doing a unique thing and they won’t find a negative aspect to it. They will always find a bad thing out of the good,” he told NBS TV’s After 5 crew.
According to the singer, this mindset runs deeper than just music. He believes it reflects a broader national attitude that spills into many areas of life.
“We have a negative mindset and it’s in everything, in politics, in business, everywhere,” he added.
A Pass believes this culture of criticism makes it difficult for Ugandan creatives to experiment, evolve, and compete globally.
While other countries rally behind their stars and celebrate their achievements, many Ugandan artists find themselves battling skepticism from the very audience they hope will champion them.