A music artist manager with a freshly released music video would head to the CD-burning and distribution hubs in downtown Kampala, including Majestic, Mutaasa Kafeero, and nearby plazas, where promoters like X-Zone Music were situated. While it’s reported that some music was willingly submitted, some artists over the years attempted to sue the promoters for copyright infringement, claiming their songs were being used without permission by promoters who compiled Ugandan music videos onto CDs for sale under the guise of nationwide distribution.
With the drives blasting promoted songs on large speakers, locals bought each CD for about UGX 5,000 to 10,000. Each CD was wrapped in a colourful design featuring artists’ photos on the front and a list of about 70-100 music videos printed on the back. These discs were played on DVDs in homes, bars, and restaurants. Artists whose songs appeared first on these compilations were almost guaranteed a hit. From what I recall, this scene was active between 2013 and 2018, though it’s unclear if they are still in business.
In those days, names like David Lutalo, Rema Namakula, Ykee Benda, King Saha, Pallaso, Fik Fameica, and many others whose music releases came with videos, led the music scene.
Before digital platforms like TuneCore and YouTube became mainstream, Ugandan music artists relied on a mix of methods, both direct and indirect, to reach fans. Alongside CD-burning and piracy through music libraries onto phones and flash drives, TV and radio music shows played a key role. Some artists encouraged the sharing of MP3s in fans’ WhatsApp groups named after them, Team Artist A and Musaayi Gwa Artist B, where digitally skilled individuals would pick up the tracks and upload them to local download sites such as HowweBiz, MP3jaja, and Mdundo. This unregulated circulation was standard whenever most artists released new songs.
Today, TikTok seems to be the gateway to a hit song in Uganda, giving the impression that it dominates the music scene, a topic that calls for an in-depth article in the near future. For now, let’s turn our attention to the top 10 songs in Uganda as of 07 September 2025.
#1. See You Tonight – Omega 256 & Cindy Sanyu
Written by Mowzy Wryta
Produced by Oppe
#2. Somebody – Sheebah
Written by Nikoly Ten
Produced by Nessim Pan Production & Ayo BassBoi
#3. Kapati – Alien Skin & Sandra Naxx
Written by Patrick Mulwana (Alien Skin)
Produced by Profete & GZ BeatZ
#4. Nepanka – Sandra Naxx
Written by Patrick Mulwana & Sandra “Naxx” Nakato
Produced by Profete & GZ BeatZ
#5. Life Is Better – Levixone
Written by Sam Lucas Lubyogo (Levixone)
Co-produced by Brian Beats & Levixone
#6. Ngenderera – Willar Stary ft. Kataleya & Kandle
Written by Willar Stary, Kataleya & Kandle
Produced by Artin Pro
Music video directed by Simon SPK (SPK Films)
#7. Soloboka (Misolo Boka) – Mad King ft. Nandor Love
Produced by Maxmise
Mastered by Herbert Skillz
#8. Owe’she – Ray G
Written by Muhairwe Reagan (Ray G)
Produced by Instramento
#9. Zari – Jose Chameleone
Written by Joseph “Chameleone” Mayanja
Produced by Ian Pro
#10. Hidden Agendas – Bebe Cool
Written by Kagoda George Bush (Bushington)
Produced by Ekpe Promise & Moses Ssali (Bebe Cool)
Bonus Tracks (5)
#11. Mbawe – Eddy Kenzo
Written by Edirisah Kenzo Musuuza
Produced by Sweet Vybz
Video directed by Edrine Paul (Future Trends Print)
#12. Daily Menu – Winnie Wa Mummy & King Saha
Written by Sebunya Alfa (Mudra) and Ssemanda Mansoor (King Saha)
Produced by Nessim Pan Production & King Saha
#13. Owaaye – Chosen Becky & Aaronx
Written by Aaron Mukwaya and Lubwama Simon.
Produced by Lubega Jacob
#14. Nyoko Wo – Mudra D Viral & Nyoko Wo Live
#15. Yankozesa – Gunna UG
Written by Ntuuyo Ivan
Produced by MAXIMISE.
Left out of the main list are Ugandan songs that have been out for over two months but are still topping charts, titles like Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka, Good Idea by Dax Vibez and Elijah Kitaka, For Better for Worse by McSan Mr FineLines, and Mpeke by Unknown and Aroma.
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