Veteran Kadongo Kamu singer Fred Sebatta became emotional as tensions escalated between older musicians and Eddy Kenzo.
The fallout stems from remarks Kenzo made that were interpreted as dismissive of Kadongo Kamu—a genre considered one of the foundations of Uganda’s music industry.
Other legends including Willy Mukabya, Fred Sebaale, and Kibijigiri also voiced their disappointment, calling for more respect from the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president.
“It is unfair for those who built this industry to be ignored,” Sebatta said emotionally.
The Root of the Conflict
The disagreement intensified after Kenzo suggested that artists from the 1990s did not achieve as much as modern musicians.
He reportedly compared older legends like Paul Kafeero, Dan Mugula, and Herman Basudde to contemporary stars such as Jose Chameleone and Bebe Cool.
A Wider Debate
Kadongo Kamu artists emphasized that they laid the groundwork for Uganda’s music industry under difficult conditions—long before modern genres like Afrobeats and dancehall gained popularity.
The clash has since sparked a nationwide conversation about respect between generations, with fans urging both sides to find common ground.