Celebrated Ugandan singer and songwriter Yesse Oman Rafiki has broken his silence about one of the darkest periods of his life — a chapter marked by drug abuse, depression, and betrayal.
The hitmaker, known for crafting some of Uganda’s biggest songs and mentoring young talent, spoke candidly about his journey from a troubled artist to a seasoned businessman in the music industry.
Reflecting on his past struggles, Yesse described those years as a “childish stage” that he has long outgrown.
“The drugs and depression matters were childish,”
— Yesse Oman Rafiki said, admitting that at the time, he lacked direction and maturity.
Now speaking from a place of growth, stability, and experience, the “Tukiggale” singer says he has transformed into a business-minded man who understands the value of his work.
“Now, we are grown-ups and businessmen who have made deals and experienced both losses and profits. So, the drugs and depression issues were childish,”
— he added.
When asked about claims that his career had stagnated, Rafiki dismissed the talk, explaining that he had simply been too generous to the people around him — a trait that was often taken advantage of.
“I have never been stuck in life. I just had a generous heart, and when you show it to people, they often use it for their own selfish benefit,”
— he said.
Having learned hard lessons from betrayal and emotional burnout, Yesse has since taken deliberate steps to protect his brand and filter who he works with.
“I got an antidote for that matter — we increased the rate charges for our songs. Now we only want able clients to link up with us and work,”
— Rafiki explained.
The singer’s transformation marks a powerful reminder of resilience and self-awareness in Uganda’s ever-evolving entertainment industry.
