Ugandan singer Ykee Benda has sparked conversation in the entertainment industry after speaking about the growing link between music and politics.
Speaking on a podcast hosted by Susan Makula, he claimed that some artistes now depend on political connections to stay relevant.
He suggested that without that support, several of them would be “in their corners struggling.”
Ykee Benda also argued that politics has become a promotional strategy for some musicians, adding that a number of artistes now use controversy, often by clashing with fellow performers, to attract attention ahead of new releases.
“People already know these artistes,” he said, noting that the pattern has become familiar: spark tension, capture attention, then drop a song while the spotlight is still on them.
His remarks have since triggered discussion among fans and industry voices, with questions now rising over whether controversy and political ties are overshadowing talent in Uganda’s music scene.