Ugandan singer A Pass has raised concerns about Uganda’s ability to compete on the global music stage, arguing that the biggest challenge for many local artists is not talent but access to international networks.
Speaking during an appearance on The Beat on NTV Uganda, the outspoken artist said most Ugandan musicians lack the kind of international record label backing needed to push their music beyond regional markets.
According to A Pass, only a few artists currently have the connections required to break into major global markets.
“One thing people don’t realize is that we don’t have artists on international record labels that can push their songs,” he said.
He pointed to rising Ugandan singer Joshua Baraka as one of the few artists making progress internationally, partly because of his connections abroad.
“The ones who are trying are maybe people like Joshua Baraka, and that is because he has people in the UK. That makes it easier for him to capture a market like that,” A Pass explained.
The Wuuyo hitmaker said having people operating within key global music hubs can make a significant difference in how far an artist’s music travels.
“That is why it becomes easier for them to penetrate those markets,” he said. “They have people in those pockets.”
However, A Pass also suggested that the type of music that dominates the Ugandan market may not always align with global trends.
“I even feel that the taste of music that the majority like here is not internationally viable,” he noted. “A lot of it doesn’t work there because what is on the world standard is a different kind of music.”
His comments add to the ongoing conversation about how Ugandan artists can expand their reach and compete more effectively on the international music scene.
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