Singer Roden Y Kabako has openly criticized fellow artist Ziza Bafana for attending the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) event that launched President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign music album.
Bafana, who has long identified as a supporter of the National Unity Platform (NUP), shocked fans and fellow musicians with his presence at the event. Many accused him of betraying the opposition cause.
Kabako, never one to shy away from controversy, questioned Bafana’s integrity and motives.
“We are probably the same age with him so I don’t know who’s smarter, but people didn’t take it well. They even sent me that video of him wearing a mask at the event, but that wasn’t right,” Kabako said.
In defense, Ziza Bafana explained that his attendance was not political but rather in response to an invitation from Eddy Kenzo, who asked him to join discussions on the Copyright Amendment Law and listen to artists presenting their concerns directly to President Museveni.
However, Kabako was not convinced. He argued that the real purpose of the gathering was to promote Museveni’s new campaign album—not copyright reforms.
“They didn’t go for the copyright law, they went for the album. Even me, who lives in the neighborhoods of Munyonyo, didn’t bother to cross and attend,” he dismissed.
This fallout adds to the growing tension within the music industry, where artists are increasingly under scrutiny for their political alignments and appearances at state-backed events.
