Veteran singer Mark Bugembe, popularly known as Buchaman, has opened up about the emotional story and creative journey behind Bobi Wine and Juliana Kanyomozi’s timeless classic “Taata Wabana.”
Speaking in a recent interview, Buchaman revealed that the song was inspired by a true story that deeply moved the Firebase Crew, transforming what was meant to be a simple studio project into one of Uganda’s most heartfelt musical masterpieces.
“The song ‘Taata Wabana’ came from the ghetto vibes,” Buchaman said. “There was a man, a wheelbarrow pusher working in Owino, who came to us and told us how he returned home one evening to find his wife had packed her belongings and left an empty house. His pain and struggle inspired everything.”
According to Buchaman, Bobi Wine was so touched by the man’s heartbreaking experience that he rushed to the studio to record the song immediately. He even went ahead to write Juliana Kanyomozi’s part of the song.
“Bobi went straight to the studio, recorded most of the track, and even penned Juliana’s lyrics. After finishing her radio show at Capital FM, she came over, recorded her verse, and it came out perfectly,” Buchaman shared.
The powerful collaboration between Bobi Wine and Juliana turned into one of Uganda’s most beloved classics — blending deep ghetto emotion with soulful vocals that resonated with families across the country.
Buchaman also reminisced about the strong bond between Juliana Kanyomozi and the Firebase crew, describing her as the first “Ghetto Mother.”
“Juliana was our long-term buddy. She used to hang out with us in Kamwokya after her radio duties. She had a middle seat in our war bus and knew all our ghetto slang and stories. But she was never part of our chaos — she was family,” he said.
“Taata Wabana” remains a powerful reminder of how real-life experiences can inspire music that touches hearts across generations. The song not only showcased Bobi Wine’s storytelling genius and Juliana’s unmatched vocal talent but also reflected the struggles and strength of everyday Ugandans.
