Kapeke, real name Derrick Nsubuga, is a fast-rising Ugandan dancehall artist born on 25 November 2000. He broke out in 2020 with Okakasa Olubuto under the name Kapeke Destiny Boy. After rebranding to Bad Boy Kapeke, he pushed out several singles and a 2023 four-track EP, Vision2024. The EP featured Rickman Manrick on its third track Wenazifuna, which later received a music video.

Early 2024 brought another joint track with Rickman titled Swiriri. The song picked up strong momentum, carrying his music to new ears and stirring anticipation. Building on this energy, Shuu arrived in May, soon followed by a remix featuring Fik Fameica a month later.

With each release carrying him further into the spotlight, by August 2024, Kapeke had released Akasanyalazze, a track that earned its place among students, TikTokers and nightlife clubs in Kampala. As the year drew to a close, bad boy returned in November with Polokoto, a hit that crossed borders with its titillating music video, firmly cementing his place in the music industry.

By May 2025, when Kaba (Tema Ensingo) dropped, Kapeke had already become one of Uganda’s most recognisable young artists. Kaba became an anthem, with its ‘Tema Ensingo’ phrase and dance strokes spreading across schools, workplaces, and online spaces. Pepsi adapted the phrase as ‘Tema Enyota’ for their campaign, while TikTok users carry the original to new corners of the online world.

Kapeke’s Music Producer
Every Kapeke release so far has been produced by Trapex Boomin, one of the six producers credited with shaping Ugandan music in 2024 by Mugibson.

Derrick Nsubuga’s Family Background
Kapeke is the sixth-born child of his mother, Kulabako Betty. Details about his father and other siblings are still being confirmed.

In a local radio interview, he explained that his music, dances, and fashion fall under a style he calls Kimalufa. Meanwhile, the dark glasses he wears are more than an accessory; they’ve become part of his signature look. Kapeke works with his crew–Mpeke DJ and dancers led by his friend and official dancer Mullo Mazinna (real name Bisaso Paul)–under their own label, No Belt Gang (NBG).

Bad Boy Kapeke Coming to Kampala
Kapeke hails from Kawanda, 12 km north of Kampala, a hometown he quietly left in 2018 after completing S4 to move to Makindye and join the Wembly Foundation, run by renowned dancer Wembly Mo. He began as a dancer before transitioning to music, bringing along his close friend, now official dancer, Mullo Mazina.

Kapeke Education Background
During his time in Kawanda, Kapeke studied at St James Primary School, attended Gifted Hands Kawanda, and completed his UCE at St Paul Secondary School Kawanda before moving to Kampala.

In a country where youths make up a large part of the population, Kapeke’s music finds a ready audience—among students, on the streets, and in nightlife spots nationwide. The appeal extends to older listeners, who are drawn in by the dance moves popularised through Tema Ensingo.

Kapeke Numbers on Social Media
He has 60,000 YouTube subscribers and over 16 million views. His Instagram sits at 42,000 followers. TikTok is his strongest platform with 378,000 followers.

On 31 October 2025, Kapeke released his latest single, Simanyi, followed by the all-star track Nzalina on 23 November, featuring Feffe Bussi, Winnie Nwagi, Spice Diana, and Dax Vibes. Judging by social media buzz, Kapeke’s verse has carried the song, at times even seeming to overshadow his Simanyi single, but hey…it’s still too early to tell.

It’s July 2025, a big applause to Ugandan music artists whose early-year tracks have crossed over into the second half of the year and are still topping charts. That’s no small feat!

In an industry where any newbie can record a sound and, with TikTok or a single radio spin, shake up the airwaves for months, maintaining consistent hits as an established artist demands more than just talent or luck, at some point, it calls for reinvention or a full artist rebrand.

Take Weasel Manizo, for instance, he carved out a name with solo music hits like Nakujali in the early 2000s, but ended up being celebrated mainly as the other half of the Radio and Weasel duo, thanks to their 2008 debut, Nakudata featuring Omulangira Suuna. Or Bebe Cool, who transitioned from a celebrated reggae artist to any genre and now, after his 2025 Break The Chains album, Bebe Cool humorously carries the tag of Ugandan-Nigerian artist. Okay, maybe these aren’t the best examples, but hey, what about Kapeke?

Remember that COVID-season Okakasa Olubuto hit? That same Kapeke rebranded from the 2020 Destiny Boy to today’s Kapeke Yuh Nuh Say with Ekimalufa, which kicked off with the 2024 Swiriri release featuring Rickman Manrick. Or Elijah Kitaka, once the bald, live band guy before the 2019 Son of Kaloli album, who is now the Swangz Avenue star whose eccentric fashion makes him look like a stylish vagabond covered in rings and pins. These two didn’t just evolve musically; they rebranded their entire personas. And guess what? It worked, and they’re topping charts. Including this one.

Cut the jazz… here are the top 10 songs in Uganda now, as of July 2025, by Nymy Net, based on what’s popular on radio, TikTok, Ku Ground, YouTube and Apple Music.

#1. Good Idea by Dax Vibez and Elijah Kitaka
Produced by Nessim Pan Production
Written by Bugembe Ssentamu Ivan and Nsubuga Elijah.

#2. Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka
Produced by British-Ghanaian record producer JAE5.
Written by Joshua Baraka and JAE5 (Jonathan Kweku Awote-Mensah).

#3. Biggwa by Liam Voice feat. Fik Fameica
Produced by Artin and Grey Town
Written by Zisabusolo Willy (Liam Voice) and Fic Fameica.

#4. Ogenda Kukilaba by Tracy Melon
Produced by Brex Pro, Guitar by Myko Ouma
Written by Kenimars Music.

#5. Kaba by Kapeke
Produced by Trapex Boomin
Written by Kapeke (Derrick Nsubuga).

#6. Cheque by Bebe Cool feat. Joshua Baraka
Produced by Chukwuka Ahaiwe (NG) and Kagoda George Bush [Bushington (UG)]
Written by Ekpe Promise (NG), Bushington (UG), and Bebe Cool.

#7. The One by Ykee Benda
Written by Tugume Wycliff (Ykee Benda)
Produced by Dny Beats at Mpaka Records.

#8. Red Tomato by David Lutalo
Produced by Pamola, Mastered by Herbert Skillz
Written by David Lutalo.

#9. Angonza by Vyroota
Produced & Written by Musigazi Abdulaziz (Vyroota).

#10. Control It by Winnie Nwagi
Produced by Bangar Boi
Written by Winnie Nakanwagi and Ssekajja Marrick.

Bonus Tracks

#11. Kankutendereze (Remix) by King Saha
A cover version of Mesach Semakula’s 2006 Kankutendereze (Credited as writer and producer).

#12. Yongeza by Juliana Kanyomozi
Produced by Crouch
Written by Jualiana Kanyomozi.

#13. Bilalamu by Fic Fameica
Produced by Bad Boy Beats
Written by Shafique Walukagga.

#14. Njoya by Hezo Music
Produced by Felon Beats.

#15. Onyonona by Liam Voice
Produced by Artin and Grey Town
Written by Zisabusolo Willy (Liam Voice).

#16. Go by Karole Kasita feat. Elijah Kitaka
Produced by Daddy Andre
Written by Karole Kasita and Elijah Kitaka.

Some comments on your current favourite Ugandan song. And on a good day, you can actually join our WhatsApp channel for more!

In these articles, we’re also showing some love to random Ugandan rising artists. Here’s one for the books, Unscripted EP by Jenesis Kimera.

During our on-ground research into the top 10 songs hitting in Uganda, we uncovered an intriguing trend: emerging music artists, previously unknown to the author, are topping the Ugandan music charts. This observation highlighted the need to fully understand the dynamics behind hit songs in Uganda. Here’s what we’ve…

One notable pattern is the rise of one-hit wonders, whose breakout tracks often even cross borders. Examples include Party After Party by Big Trill, Tumbiza Sound by Eezy, Kachumbali by Quex Music, Wipolo by Pastor George Okudi, and Embooko by Master Blaster. Despite releasing music before and after these hits, these artists rarely replicate their initial success.

Disclaimer: While this is a case study, there are other artists in Uganda, like Jose Chameleone, David Lutalo, Eddy Kenzo, and Bobi Wine, whose careers, spanning over a decade, are defined by numerous and even bigger hits.

The second category includes artists whose subsequently released songs enjoy short-lived success, typically fading within 2-3 years. Even with improvements in their craft and consistent new music releases, these artists struggle to recapture the spotlight they once held. No mentions, lol.

The third category are artists who only get attention under specific individuals or entities, often referred to as “music gatekeepers” (whatever that term implies). When these artists part ways with their mentors, often producers or management, their ability to produce hits often diminishes, despite efforts to refine their style. A renowned name in this context is Jeff Kiwa, whose management has consistently propelled artists to success, only for them to gradually drop off the radar once they leave his camp.

Artists whose careers Jeff Kiwa has helped shape include Radio & Weasel, Sheebah Karungi, Grenade Official, and, most recently, Ava Peace, who is dominating the charts since signing with his TNS management.

Anywho, here are the top 10 songs in Uganda now, as of May 2025 by Nymy Net

#1. Wanula Remix Rmx by Ava Peace and Temperature Touch
Produced at Sound Fall Studio by Temperature Touch & CK on Da Beat

#2. TikTok Life by King Saha
Produced at Bless Touch Records Inc. Studio by Bass Boi

#3 Nkulowozaako by Eddy Kenzo
Written by Allan Kasujja

#3. GO by Karole Kasita
Produced by Andre on The Beat

#4. Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka
Produced by Banga Boi at Swangz Avenue.
Written by Elijah Nsubuga (Elijah Kitaka), Fred Buwule Kanyike and Ssekajja Marrick (Banga Boi).

#5. Kaba by Kapeke
Produced by Trapex Boomi

#6. Not Your Enemy by Bobi Wine, Nubian Li & King Saha
Produced by Paddyman at Audio1 Records studio

#7. Nyam Nyam by Fik Fameica & Vinka
Produced by Trapex Boomi & Artin

#8. Wrong Places by Joshua Baraka
Produced by Johnathon Mensah.
Written by Joshua Baraka.

#9. Oli Mwesigwa by Ntaate
Produced by Josh Wonder

#10. Buguda by Recho Rey & VIP Jemo
Produced by Sekret

Bonus Tracks
#11. Kindekere by Lydia Jazmine
#11. Ebigambo by Bruno K & Kabuye Ssemboga
#12. My Life by John Blaq & Mozelo Kidz
#14. Ensi Yaffe by King Saha
#15. Tovawo by Chris Evans

This chart covers music tracks and videos not older than 2 months; however, chart-topping music videos released later, such as Ekyange by Elijah Kitaka, are an exception. Tracks such as Che Che, Lukusuuta, Tabu, Dawa, Kinawolovu, Eden, and Sirubala are not included in this playlist despite remaining fan favourites. Read – Top 10 Songs in Uganda Now Ugandan Hits March 2025.

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