Family and friends fight hardest when money is at stake. That seems to be the case for Bebe Cool and Eddy Kenzo, two of Uganda’s biggest stars, now caught in a power struggle over NRM campaign performances.
For years, performing at NRM events has been one of the best-paying gigs for local artists. Popular names like Jose Chameleone, Gravity Omutujju, Alien Skin, and Lil Pazo have openly sided with President Museveni’s camp, leaving out a few who stand with fellow artist Bobi Wine, now the biggest contender against the ruling party ahead of the 2026 presidential election. Besides ego, the divide in Uganda’s music industry today is drawn in political colours, though this time, the tension isn’t between NRM and People Power artists. It’s within Museveni’s bazzukulu camp.
According to insider claims, Eddy Kenzo, who also heads the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), advised the NRM secretariat to cut spending on moving the same Kampala-based stars to every campaign rally. Instead, he suggested giving stage time to regional artists, many of whom are members of the federation. The idea was to promote local talent and save campaign funds.
The advice was reportedly well received, but it also meant that the long-standing arrangement, allegedly managed by Bebe Cool, to select and pay artists for Museveni’s rallies, would lose influence. Under the new setup, payments are to be routed through UNMF, effectively cutting out those who previously handled performance logistics directly. This move wouldn’t sit well with anyone in the path.
Sources close to both camps claim these changes created bad blood, with many payments to central-based artists being delayed or even cut. Eddy Kenzo himself was reportedly paid less than agreed for a Lira rally. In a later interview, Kenzo hinted at his interaction with Bebe Cool, who told him that he and a few other artists were being sidelined in favour of regional performers. In the same interview, Kenzo admitted being confronted by Bebe Cool over the idea of regional artist performances, a claim Kenzo denied.
Adding to the tension was a moment at Speke Resort Munyonyo during the launch of “Yoweri” music album by UNMF, when President Museveni praised Kenzo for “using the government’s support well” and jokingly criticised Bebe Cool for failing to deliver results after receiving funding for a studio project. The crowd laughed, but those close to Bebe Cool say the jab cut deep.
Further fuelling the rivalry was the revelation that Kenzo is a son of Chefe Ali, said to have fought alongside Museveni during the Bush War, giving Kenzo what some insiders call “family favour” within the NRM system.
Kenzo’s growing closeness to the President, both as UNMF head and as an artist seen as more organised and progressive, has shifted the balance of influence. His alleged proposal to promote regional music artists under UNMF is said to have already taken effect. In a viral clip, fans appeared uninterested as Lil Pazo performed at a rally in Packwach, highlighting that Kampala-based artists do not always resonate with audiences nationwide, a factor that may explain why the regional artist strategy is likely to succeed.
There goes Uganda’s music industry, with the other side of the political divide, NRM-leaning artists, now on the verge of splitting just a week into the rallies. This money struggle raises questions about the loyalty of pro-NRM artists, even though many openly admit they are in it only for the cash.
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