Socialite and businesswoman Bad Black has sparked debate after claiming that Uganda no longer has genuine socialites like it did in the past.
Speaking to Galaxy FM, Bad Black argued that having a large social media following does not automatically make someone a socialite, insisting that the title should be reserved for people with wealth, influence and a recognisable lifestyle.
According to Bad Black, the likes of Zari Hassan and Judith Heard represented the golden era of Ugandan socialites, alongside herself.
“Back then we had Zari, Judith Heard, Bad Black who were real socialites,” she partly said.
Kirabo and Sheilah Don't Make the Cut
Bad Black also took aim at the current generation of high-profile Ugandan women, arguing that personalities such as Kisitu Kirabo and Sheilah Gashumba should not be classified as socialites.
She questioned the idea of becoming a celebrity simply by accumulating hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms such as TikTok.
For Bad Black, true socialites should have the financial muscle and lifestyle to match the title, rather than relying on online controversy to remain relevant.
She further criticised some of today's self-proclaimed celebrities, describing them as “drunkards” rather than genuine socialites.
Her comments have since reignited debate over what it actually takes to earn the socialite tag in Uganda, with the old guard and new generation likely to have very different answers.