At a time when modern trends and foreign influences continue to reshape how young Africans view their identity, Tonney Kasozi has chosen a different path.
Known to many as Jajja Kasozi Batuuka, the 29-year-old cultural artist has dedicated his life to preserving traditions, promoting indigenous knowledge, and reminding Ugandans that culture remains an important part of who they are.
Through music, community engagements and cultural advocacy, the Kalungu District native has emerged as one of a growing number of young Ugandans using contemporary platforms to reconnect people with their roots.
For Batuuka, culture is not something to be confined to history books.
“It is a living inheritance that should guide us even in modern times,” he says.
Growing up in Lukaya
Born on May 15, 1997, to Kasozi Sebastian and Namuwonge Saudah, Batuuka spent his childhood in Lukaya, Kalungu District, where traditional values were deeply embedded in everyday life.
Community gatherings, ceremonies, storytelling sessions and interactions with elders exposed him to a world that valued ancestry, unity and collective responsibility.
Those early experiences would later shape his outlook on life.
While many young people viewed traditional practices as outdated, Batuuka saw wisdom in the teachings passed down through generations.
He developed a strong appreciation for indigenous customs and became increasingly interested in understanding African spirituality, traditional leadership structures and the history behind cultural practices.
Music with a message
Unlike many artists whose focus revolves around commercial success, Batuuka says he entered music with a mission.
He saw songs as tools for education rather than simply entertainment.
His compositions address themes ranging from African identity and cultural preservation to morality, community values and ancestral wisdom.
Through traditional rhythms and storytelling techniques, he seeks to create music that speaks to both older generations and younger audiences navigating a rapidly changing world.
Over the years, he has released songs including Ensi Yaba Jajja, Tujjakwejussa, Byodobba, Lubowa, Nkowola Amayembe, Ejembe Likubanja, Lubaale, Kabikuse, Mayembe and Kyewandabako, among others.
For his followers, the music serves as more than entertainment. It is a reminder of identity and heritage.
Beyond the microphone
Away from music, Batuuka has expanded his influence through cultural education and community engagement.
He regularly participates in cultural gatherings and discussions aimed at encouraging young people to appreciate traditional institutions and indigenous knowledge.
His supporters view him not only as an artist but also as a mentor and cultural advocate.
He has also ventured into entrepreneurship through fashion and branding initiatives inspired by African identity.
According to him, culture should not be limited to ceremonies but should also be visible in everyday life through language, dress and lifestyle.
“Wezule Era Wetegere”
One phrase has become synonymous with Batuuka’s public identity.
“Wezule Era Wetegere.”
Translated loosely as “Be alert and understand yourself,” the slogan has become a rallying call among his supporters.
For Batuuka, the message encourages self-awareness, critical thinking and appreciation of one’s roots.
He believes many of society’s challenges stem from people losing touch with their identity and values.
Swimming against the tide
Promoting traditional culture in an era dominated by mainstream entertainment has not been without challenges.
Limited funding, inadequate media attention and stiff competition from commercial music have presented obstacles throughout his journey.
But Batuuka says the difficulties have only strengthened his resolve.
He has continued to rely on live performances, cultural ceremonies and digital platforms to spread his message and reach wider audiences.
His determination, he says, is driven by the belief that preserving culture is not merely a personal passion but a responsibility.
Looking ahead
As Uganda continues to modernise, Batuuka hopes more young people will embrace their heritage rather than abandon it.
His vision is to see African culture celebrated across generations and borders while ensuring indigenous knowledge remains relevant in contemporary society.
Through music, entrepreneurship and community engagement, he hopes to inspire young Africans to take pride in who they are.
In an increasingly globalised world, Jajja Kasozi Batuuka represents a generation seeking to prove that preserving tradition and embracing modernity do not have to be mutually exclusive.
For him, the voices of the ancestors are not echoes from the past.
They are lessons for the future.
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