The album marks a high-profile creative collaboration between Nabaasa and Gen. Salim Saleh, the Head of Operation Wealth Creation. Beyond its standalone musical merit, the project serves as the official soundtrack for the documentary film Back to the Source: The Nile. With powerful tracks such as Iraka, We Are One, Jeshi Moja, and the titular Cry From The Valley, the music provides the emotional heartbeat for the film’s narrative.
The documentary features Ambassador Judith “Juju” Nsababera, Uganda’s Consul General to Guangzhou, in a deeply personal journey. In a rare display of vulnerability for a diplomat, the film captures Nsababera as she confronts and overcomes a lifelong phobia of water while traversing the country’s most iconic landscapes and hidden gems.
Esther Nabaasa
Executive produced by Amb. Juju and directed by content creator Derrick Ssenyonyi, the film is being deployed as a strategic diplomatic tool. Its mission is clear: to bypass traditional marketing and use authentic storytelling to lure tourists and high-value investment from the Chinese market and beyond.
The evening was a comprehensive celebration of Ugandan artistry, featuring legendary reggae icon Maddox Ssemanda Ssematimba, who kept the energy high with his timeless classics, and the neo-soul maestro Kenneth Mugabi, who added a touch of acoustic magic to the festivities.
Reflecting on the successful launch, Ssenyonyi expressed his hope that the project signals a new era for local creators. He noted that the film is a testament to the fact that Ugandan storytellers have the capacity to produce world-class content that can redefine the country’s global image while opening doors for the next generation of creatives.
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