In a mid-May 2026 interview with Galaxy TV, Ugandan music DJ and promoter DJ Erycom claimed he was the first Ugandan to own a YouTube channel and that the platform awarded him an “accolade” for the milestone.

As his claim continues to spark debates, let’s see whether the facts back DJ Erycom up or…

So, who is DJ Erycom?
Eryck Paul Mutebi (born 9 October 1989), professionally known as DJ Erycom, is one of the pioneers of uploading Ugandan music online for free downloading and listening through his website, djerycom.ug. Despite ongoing accusations of promoting music piracy, Ugandan artists continue to build their early audiences through free music download sites like Erycom’s.

As the self-proclaimed “Local but Global DJ,” DJ Erycom remains a household name among Ugandan music lovers. If you have ever heard the iconic “Remember where you got it first… www.djerycom.com” tag in a Ugandan song, that’s him!

Was DJ Erycom the First Ugandan to own a YouTube channel?
Let’s start by setting out some facts. YouTube was launched on 15 December 2005.

DJ Erycom claims he created his channel in November 2006, describing it as “two months after Google bought the platform.” However, Google finalised its acquisition of YouTube on 13 November 2006.

He also added that YouTube awarded accolades to the first users who created YouTube channels in each country, claiming he received the accolade for Uganda. However, there is no evidence in YouTube’s official history or creator policies to prove the existence of any programme of this nature.

So, was DJ Erycom the first Ugandan to create a YouTube channel? Keep reading… there’s more.

DJ Erycom on YouTube
On the platform, the veteran DJ currently operates a YouTube channel titled DJ Erycom Uganda under the username @DJErycomUganda.

At the time of this publication, the channel features 31 uploaded videos and has 46.6K subscribers. The interesting part? Its metadata indicates the account was created on 8 December 2011, a date that warrants close attention.

This disparity raises an obvious question: if DJ Erycom created a historic YouTube channel in 2006, where is that digital footprint today?

History of YouTube in Uganda
While global access to YouTube began in 2005, Google launched the Ugandan localised domain (youtube.co.ug) on Friday, 2 December 2011. The introduction of youtube.co.ug adjusted YouTube’s system to surface more locally relevant content on the homepage while still operating alongside the global version. The rollout was officially commissioned by then Minister of ICT, Dr Ruhakana Rugunda.

From a timing perspective, this places DJ Erycom’s existing YouTube channel creation just six days after the launch of the localised Ugandan YouTube domain.

So, was he the first?
Our checks also identified Ugandan channels that predate his verified YouTube channel. Among them is NTV Uganda, which joined YouTube in November 2007, and Bebe Cool, whose channel dates back to January 2009.

Conclusion: There is no evidence that DJ Erycom was the first Ugandan to create a YouTube channel. Several claims he made around this topic during the interview are also inaccurate.

How to Install yt-dlp on Windows PC
#1. Download yt-dlp for Windows. ← The link always downloads the latest yt-dlp.

#2. Create a folder named ytdl in the C drive (system drive) and place yt-dlp.exe in that folder (C:\ytdl). Just copy and paste the yt-dlp.exe file there, the way you downloaded it in the first step.

#3. Download yt-dlp’s custom ffmpeg build. ← Specifically, download win64-gpl.

#4. Using any unzipping software such as WinRAR, open the ffmpeg file you downloaded in step #3, and locate the ffmpeg.exe file in the bin folder.

#5. Copy or move the ffmpeg.exe file to C:\ytdl. (Paste ffmpeg.exe inside the ytdl folder you created in drive C).  The other files in the ZIP are not needed.

#6. Click your START button > type envir > select Edit the system environment variables.

#7.  Click ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES (the button at the bottom right).

#8. Under System variables, click NEW, then enter C:\ytdl as the variable value and ytdl as the variable name. (To get a backslash (\), hold the left Alt and type 92).

#9. Click OK, OK, OK (Close all 3 windows).
Congratulations, yt-dlp is now installed. Now, how to use it…

How to Use yt-dlp on Windows PC to Download YouTube Videos
#1. Click START > type CMD to open Command Prompt (Do Not Run as Admin, never!)

#2. Type cd \ytdl and press Enter

#3. Then enter: yt-dlp “youtube video link here” (yt-dlp + youtube url in straight double quotes).

Yt-dlp downloads are saved in the ytdl folder you created under the directory C:\ytdl. By default, video downloads are in the best available quality.

Summary:
Installing yt-dlp YouTube downloader on your desktop is simple. Download yt-dlp and ffmpeg, then place both files inside a folder you’ll create called ytdl in drive C. After that, add C:\ytdl to your system variables.

To use yt-dlp, open Command Prompt (Not as Admin), navigate to the folder by entering cd \ytdl, then run yt-dlp + the video URL in straight double quotes.

Think of it as a table of contents in a book. Commonly used in longer videos such as tutorials and podcasts, YouTube chapters are timestamps that divide the content into sections, allowing YouTube viewers to jump directly to the part they want to watch. A YouTube video with chapters displays a segmented progress bar.

YouTube Timestamps for Viewers (How to Use)
When watching a YouTube video with a lot of rambling you want to skip, check the video description for timestamps if the player bar is divided. With a single tap, the timestamp takes you straight to the key part you want.

How to Add Chapters to YouTube Video Without Description
As a YouTube viewer, you can also help others by leaving timestamps in the comments. For instance, “09:45 – For the impatient people like me,” creates a clickable link that saves time for fellow viewers. I do this all the time.

How to Add Chapters to a YouTube Video
Luckily, it is a walk in the park for YouTube creators to add these timestamp chapters for their viewers.

#1. Open YouTube Studio
Sign in to your account and go to YouTube Studio. From the dashboard, click Content, then find the video you want to edit.

#2. Edit the Video Description
On the video, click the edit (pen) icon and open the description box.

#3. Add Timestamps to YouTube Video
Enter timestamps in chronological order. The first timestamp must start at 0:00. Each chapter should have a title describing that section of the video.

For example:
0:00 Introduction
1:35 What Are YouTube Chapters?
5:20 Benefits of Chapters
8:45 How to Add Chapters
10:00 Conclusion

After adding the timestamps anywhere in the video’s description, click Save. YouTube will take a few minutes to process the changes before the chapters appear on the video player.

YouTube’s Requirements for Timestamps:
For chapters to appear, YouTube requires:
The first timestamp must be 0:00.
The video must contain at least three timestamps.
Each chapter must be at least 10 seconds long.

The three requirements above are also the mistakes to avoid when adding YouTube Chapters. If you miss any of them, the chapters will not appear on your video.

Been consuming musical content on YouTube for a while? Surely you have noticed a pattern when a song drops, the artiste uploads the official lyric video, only for a fan to upload a simpler version months later that ends up pulling more views. This pattern spans all genres and raises a simple question: why do people often choose an unofficial version of the lyric video over the one released by the artiste?

Before the algorithm takes the blame, one clear reason for this trend is readability. When commissioning a lyric video, most artistes tend to lean towards complex motion graphics, transitions, and stylised fonts to make lyric videos look polished. While visually impressive, this approach often makes lyric videos harder to follow; texts move too fast, fade in and out, or get lost in a busy background, which becomes frustrating for viewers trying to understand a song or learn the words.

A clear example is Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, where a fan-made lyric video uploaded in 2019 has accumulated over 202 million views, while the artiste’s official lyric video from 2017 has about 284 million, and appears third behind fan-made versions in YouTube search results. By keeping things simple, the fan-made version is outperforming the official one in terms of search relevance and recent engagement.

Not just with international records, every song today has the potential to break beyond its original audience and reach global listeners. Because of this, easy-to-read lyric videos on YouTube are vital for helping new fans follow along, similar to synced lyrics on Spotify or Apple Music.

I have observed that when a song in French, Swahili, or any other language goes viral, new fans flock to YouTube to further connect with the song through lyric videos. Guess their choice from the search results. It’s as though official lyric videos are made for people who already understand the language or style, while fan-made versions focus purely on being easy to read. This explains why new fans prefer them.

Why YouTube Favours Fan-made Lyric Videos
This is how the YouTube algorithm works. The platform prioritises watch time, retention, and engagement, and fan-made lyric videos naturally perform well in these areas because people replay them to learn lyrics, thanks to their simplicity, keep them running while memorising lines, and share them with others who want to sing along. Over time, this stronger engagement signals the algorithm to recommend the fan-made lyric video more often, pushing it ahead of the official upload in search results and YouTube recommendations.

Second, most fan-made lyric videos are often uploaded after a song has already gained traction, when demand has built up. Fans step in to fill gaps left by the official version, especially when it does not fully meet the need for easy readability.

There is also a technical aspect related to titles and search visibility. Standard naming formats such as “Artist – Song Title (Lyrics)” help videos rank better, while creative or unclear titles can reduce discoverability. Fan uploads usually follow straightforward naming conventions that match what fellow fans would search for.

Are Artistes okay with Fan-made lyric videos?
Short answer, yes. Monetisation or copyright infringement is less of a concern here because systems like YouTube Content ID ensure that artists still receive all the revenue from fan-made uploads.

The catch, however, is control over how audiences experience the song and which version becomes the most recognised. That can affect artist branding and online metrics such as subscribers and fragmented views, which would otherwise contribute to the growth of the artist’s official platforms.

Final thoughts
Artists can respond by structuring their releases more strategically. If a full music video is planned, a simple and highly readable lyric video works better. If the lyric video is the main visual release, it can include creative elements, but clarity should remain the priority, or even adding full lyrics in the YouTube video description.

When was the last time you watched a lyric video? Was it from the artiste’s official YouTube channel?

You are a DJ uploading non-stop music mixes on YouTube, generating hundreds of thousands of views and watch hours that make you eligible for YouTube monetisation, except for one part: the content. You can’t get a penny from the monetised content on your channel because the music rights aren’t yours to monetise.

At a time when almost all artists are copyrighting their music, the frequently asked question of how a DJ can monetise content on their YouTube channel is likely to have no definitive answer, but rather to advise DJs on other ways to make money off their mixes.

In case you’re new to the field, here’s how it goes. DJ X creates a 20-minute nonstop mix featuring, let’s say, 10 songs from various artists and uploads it to YouTube. If all 10 songs are copyrighted and their publishers allow external monetisation (copyright claim) rather than takedowns (copyright strike), all revenue the mix generates will be split among the publishers based on the time each song has in the video.

What if some songs are not copyrighted? Still, even if only one song out of the10 is copyrighted, all the revenue the nonstop mix generates will be sent to that one publisher whose song is copyrighted. Good news! If only 1 of the 10 is copyrighted, you can trim it out using YouTube editor tools in YouTube Studio and keep the video’s revenue, as long as the remaining songs stay copyright claim-free.

I’m a big fan of these mixes sometimes, and can tell how easily they carry you through late-night hours of work. It’s just sad that the DJs who carefully put them together barely earn from the revenue they generate from the countless YouTube ads, but I thought of something.

Generating massive views and watch hours, as a DJ, you’ll have your YouTube channel monetised in the shortest time possible, alongside an ever-growing YouTube subscriber base.

With this, you could start creating non-copyrighted content such as YouTube DJ tutorials, sharing tips, reviewing DJ gear, and music commentary. I mean, you already have the subscribers, and your YouTube channel is highly favoured by the YouTube algorithm for its constantly playing mixes.

Still leveraging the subscription base, you could also start featuring emerging artists on your channel for a fee. This could be through YouTube channel collaborations for music videos, or directly featuring on songs. Another Selecta Jeff or DJ Khalid in the making.

The more popular your mixes get on YouTube and TikTok, by the way, the more you can capitalise on to get bookings in bars, clubs and events. What are YouTube royalties compared to a continuous stream of bookings every weekend?

You have the numbers. Your nonstop mixes hit millions of views on YouTube. That, my friend, is when you start charging artists who want to feature on your mixes. Though not every artist should be asked to pay, those better off without your mixes become the lever that promotes the ones you charge to feature.

Sounds like a lot? You still want YouTube royalties? Well, the only way you can make YouTube AdSense money from copyrighted music is by having music artists and their publishers whitelist your YouTube channel from copyright claims. This means that every artist whose song features in your mixes would need to whitelist your channel so you can keep all the royalties.

This is quite impossible, and very few will reply to that email or text, unless it’s a single-artist compilation mix and they are willing to whitelist your channel. That’s if all the music is under one publisher, such as TuneCore, that supports whitelisting. Please understand that these mixes pull views that some artists never get on their own channels, and it’s hard to convince them to whitelist.

Oh yeah, you could also sell the monetised YouTube channel. Many creators, music artists and businesses buy them at a good price.

Story time! In 2021, a Japanese creator started a YouTube channel called Eaten Pig After 100 Days with a blunt premise. Sharing everything on the channel, he would raise a pig for 100 days like a pet, shower it with care, and then eat it.

With his real name a mystery, the star of the show was this cute mini pig named Kalby, a name that loosely translates to “grilled ribs” in Korean.

For 99 days, YouTube viewers watched Kalby being pampered with cute outfits, expensive meals, and endless love. Despite all this, the creator kept reminding everyone of the looming truth that on day 100, Kalby would be eaten.

The Channel blew up, reaching over 100,000 YouTube subscribers, many of whom flooded the comments begging him to change his mind and spare the poor pig’s life.

The Day 100 Twist
On the fateful 100th day, the YouTuber uploaded a video of himself slicing, cooking, and eating pork, ultimately triggering immediate outrage. Many people sent him death threats and labelled him a monster.

But then came the plot twist: Kalby was still alive. The pig used in the cooking video was not Kalby at all.

The YouTuber explained that the entire project was a social experiment. He wanted people to think about where the meat they eat comes from and why eating animals feels normal until you are emotionally attached to one. He pointed out that many of the people sending threats were meat eaters themselves and were not as different from him as they believed.

Eaten Pig After 100 Days YouTube Channel Today
The shock experiment didn’t end the channel. Today, Eaten Pig After 100 Days continues as a vlog, documenting the daily life of a pig that looks just like Kalby.

Oh, how frustrating it is to watch a YouTube video with unclear audio, whether because of the environment in which the content was shot or the creator’s lack of proper audio gear. You raise the volume, replay sections, and still struggle to catch every word. Well, not anymore.

While your favourite YouTube content creators are still hoping for the best microphones for YouTube to reduce background noise and improve audio quality, YouTube is using artificial intelligence to address the voice problem by enhancing spoken audio and making voices clearer during playback.

What is YouTube Voice Boost?
YouTube Voice Boost is an audio enhancement feature designed to make spoken dialogue clearer when watching YouTube videos. Using AI, voice boost identifies voices and raises the volume of spoken words relative to background sounds like music, ambient noise, or sound effects, so the dialogue becomes easier to hear.

The adjustment happens only during playback on your device, and doesn’t affect the original video or how it sounds on other devices where the feature isn’t enabled.

When was Voice Boost YouTube Feature introduced?
Quietly rolling out for selected users and devices, the Voice Boost YouTube feature began appearing gradually in late 2025, with wider visibility in early 2026. Availability still varies by region, app version, and platform, which explains why some users see the option while others do not.

How Voice Boost YouTube works
When enabled, Voice Boost analyses the audio in real time by separating voice frequencies from other sounds and amplifying speech while slightly reducing competing audio. The result is clearer dialogue, though the processing can sometimes sound artificial depending on the original audio.

Prioritising dialogue clarity, Voice Boost works best for interviews, tutorials, lectures, and other talk-based content, making speech easier to follow.

How to turn on YouTube Voice Boost
To use Voice Boost, play a video and open the settings icon () in the YouTube video player. If the option is available on your device, you will see “Voice Boost” under audio settings. Toggle it on to enhance speech or off to return to the original sound. Not all videos or devices support it.

Why YouTube Voice Boost Sucks for Some Users
While some viewers find Voice Boost genuinely helpful, especially when voices are hard to hear. Others say it makes audio sound processed, flattens music, and reduces sound quality in videos where audio detail matters. The experience depends on the content type and how the original audio was recorded. There is also the concern that Voice Boost changes how some YouTubers intended their audio to sound.

Is YouTube Voice Boost worth using?
Voice Boost on YouTube works best for speech-focused content, such as interviews, discussions, and educational videos, only when speech isn’t clear due to background noise or poor audio equipment. For music videos or content with careful sound design, turning it off preserves the creator’s intended audio.

The new Voice Boost feature is an addition to YouTube’s audio tools, following the release of Stable Volume, which balances loud and quiet moments, and automatic dubbing for multi-language audio.  All of these features have received mixed reactions from users and content creators alike. Interestingly, Stable Volume and Voice Boost don’t work together; YouTube viewers have to pick between balanced audio and enhanced voices.

With smartphones, smart TVs, and instant access to YouTube and TikTok, downloading content can feel unnecessary when you can stream almost anything, almost anywhere, at any time. Until you can’t.

Travel to remote areas with weak or no internet. Or end up being that guy tapping into some Wi-Fi for a connection. Not to mention sudden internet shutdowns that cut you off from not only communication, but also content at once. Situations such as these make offline access matter. Downloaded videos and audio cease to be a luxury and become practical.

The real problem here is finding the right downloader. Many YouTube downloader sites waste your time, flooding you with ads, redirecting you endlessly, or forcing you to wait before a download link. Some never deliver at all.

To fix this, I tested multiple tools and filtered out the unreliable ones. This article lists sites that work in no time, ones that only require you to paste a link and download audio or video in seconds, with minimal to no distractions.

Even better, some of these tools can download videos and audios from platforms beyond YouTube. They also support downloads from TikTok, Instagram, X, Facebook, and even Spotify or SoundCloud.

#1. Mp3cow.com
This is great for downloading YouTube content in mp3 audio format. The free, no-sign-in mp3cow.com has no ads and is simple to use, but has a daily download limit. Copy and paste the YouTube video URL, and with just two clicks, the audio file begins downloading. Yymp3.nexus and mp3-convert.org redirect to Mp3cow, suggesting they may share the same developers.

#2. CNNmp3 & CNNmp4
This site lets you switch between MP3 audio, choosing a bitrate from 96 kb/s to 320 kb/s, and MP4 video downloads from 144p up to 1080p. CNVmp3.com also allows for video and GIF downloads from TikTok, Reddit, Instagram Reels, Facebook, Twitch, and X (Twitter). This no-sign-in site has no download limits, no ads, and includes a “Buy Me a Coffee” button for donations.

#3. yt-dlp
A command-line downloader that works with videos and audio from over a thousand websites. This is best for users with some technical skills, such as Linux users, and may not suit average internet users. Its web application requires an email sign-in to download content. There’s also a desktop app available via ytdlp.online, but installing it just for downloads may be unnecessary unless it’s for regular business use or 4K downloads.

#4. Downr
Downr is a free media downloader that supports audio and up to full HD video downloads from over 100 websites, including YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Telegram, Facebook, and even MP3 downloads from Spotify and SoundCloud. Downr.org is free, easy to use, and runs only a few unobtrusive ads.

#5. YT1s
YT1s supports both MP3 audio and MP4 video downloads from YouTube. The site, YT1s.biz, is free, requires no sign-in, and is user-friendly. The only downside is occasional redirecting ads, though far fewer than many other downloader sites.

 #6. Cobalt.tools
Although temporarily offline, Cobalt.tools is another easy-to-use option for downloading YouTube audio. When active, it has some restrictions on copyrighted content, but remains a solid choice for easily saving audio files.

Other options like Airy YouTube Downloader and AllMyTube require installing an app, so they aren’t included. You don’t need an app for occasional downloads unless it’s for business or high-quality files like 4K or 8K. Sites with heavy, spammy ads were also excluded. The list above works best for occasional downloads; use them responsibly, respecting the effort creators put into their content.

Everything comes at a price. While we may all dislike those disruptive ads that never fail to load even on slow internet, one fact still lingers: the web is mainly powered by ads. Whether you are visiting a news website, streaming a song on a free Spotify account, or watching a YouTube video without a Premium subscription, it is the ad segments that habitually fund the existence of these platforms and the content shared.

You may now be thinking, if the ads are too intrusive, why shouldn’t you just install an ad blocker? After all, most of them are free.

To one’s surprise, even with an ad blocker, there is still a price users shoulder for those annoying ads, not to disrupt their experience. Ad blockers, just like any platform offering free services, face the challenge of sustaining developers, servers, and regular updates. This leads to a simple question: how do ad blockers make money to sustain their running costs?

Besides a small number of donations from millions of users, ad blockers like AdGuard and AdBlock make money through premium subscriptions that offer stronger privacy features and extra security tools, including VPNs.

Visiting sites with overly disruptive ads that make you consider a premium ad blocker? Built-in tools like Chrome’s ad blocker can help, filtering the most intrusive ads while keeping your device’s data safe.

You’ve likely noticed certain ads appearing even when a blocker is active. This is not an error. These are “acceptable ads,” a business model where ad blockers whitelist ads from established advertisers. Tools like Adblock Plus charge large advertisers—companies like Amazon, Nike, or Coca-Cola—about 30% of their ad budget to whitelist their ads while blocking the rest. This means the blocker decides which ads you see based on who pays.

There is another cost that is easier to miss. To understand it, look at how ad blockers work. See, when you load a website or app, your device requests files—text, photos, scripts, and videos—from the site’s servers. In this setup, Ad blockers sit between your device and those servers, filtering out ad-related files so the page loads without ads, often leaving blank spaces where ads would have appeared.

Among other things, ad blockers also block trackers like analytics tools built into websites to collect information about you. To filter these requests, ad blockers need deep access through browser or app permissions. That access gives them visibility into the same category of data that websites collect. Many ad blockers have been found selling user data to advertisers, marketing agencies, and AI training companies. Depending on the permissions you agree to, this can include device information, browsing behaviour, passwords, location data, installed apps, and other sensitive details.

Elon Musk once joked on Joe Rogan’s podcast that “Nobody really cares what porn you watch,” yet the concerns around user data reach far beyond your browsing history. Any tool granted wide access to your browser or apps should be one you trust and one you fully understand in how it handles the information you allow it to see.

We already know browsers like Chrome and search engines like Google gather your data to personalise ads. Adding an ad blocker introduces another party into your data chain, and in many cases, you do not know who they are, how they operate, or what their long-term business model is.

You decide if that trade-off is worth it.

For the past decade, YouTube has become an important gauge of an artist’s reach and popularity, superseding the days when frequent plays in bars, on radios and TV stations were the main indicators of success. Today, views, subscriptions, and engagement on YouTube and social media can offer a clearer and more measurable picture of an artist’s impact. Still, high online numbers don’t automatically define an artist’s talent or influence in the music industry.

For instance, some Ugandan musicians who dominated the airwaves in the late 1990s through the early 2000s are just gaining measurable online traction after uploading and organising their music catalogues in recent years. Some of these artists’ early hits were widely uploaded by fans, splitting views across multiple channels and diminishing plays on their official accounts. On the other hand, some Ugandan artists inflate their viewership numbers using bots or other fake engagement tactics, creating a misleading sense of prominence.

Despite these challenges, analysing YouTube views provides valuable insight into which artists have commanded attention on the platform since its heavy adoption in the Ugandan music scene around 2014. Here are the Top 10 Most Viewed Ugandan Music Artists on YouTube as of November 2025.

#1. Eddy Kenzo
With over 2.7 million subscribers, Eddy Kenzo’s official YouTube channel is the most viewed Ugandan music channel, boasting over 814 million views from 757 videos uploaded since its creation on 27 May 2013. The channel is also among the top 10 overall YouTube channels in Uganda, with popular videos including Masaka Kids Africana Dancing Tweyagale, which has 150 million views since its upload in February 2020, and Sitya Loss, which has secured over 72 million views since September 2014.

#2. Jose Chameleone
Since its creation in July 2012, Jose Chameleone’s official music YouTube channel has grown to over 752,000 subscribers with 324 videos, accumulating more than 192 million views. Its most-viewed videos include Badilisha (February 2013) with 28 million views and Tubonge (November 2023) with 18 million views. Early popular uploads include the first Valu Valu video (July 2012) with 850,000 views and Meme Katale featuring Papa Cidy (July 2012), which has surpassed 1.5 million views.

#3. Sheebah
Sheebah’s official YouTube &channel was launched in September 2011 and has since accumulated over 173 million views from 224 uploads with about 784,000 subscribers. Her biggest hit on the platform is Nakyuka (May 2020) with 11 million views, followed by Boy Fire featuring Selecta Jef (April 2021) with 7.6 million. Among her early uploads, Jordan (Mbakwekule) from May 2014 has recorded 363,000 views.

#4. Rema Namakula
Rema Namakula’s YouTube channel records over 557,000 subscribers and 145 million views across 63 videos, while maintaining a consistent viewership. Rema Namakula’s most popular videos include Guttuja featuring B2C (April 2019) with 19 million views, This is Love featuring The Ben (December 2020) with 11 million, and several others ranging from over 5 million to a few hundred thousand views each.

The channel’s earliest uploads of 2014—Sitaki (January), Atuuse, and Fire Tonight (June)—each surpassed 500,000 views, while Kukaliba, Oli Wange, Muchuzi (July), and Deep in Love (September) all crossed one million, with Deep in Love reaching 2.3 million views.

#5. Radio & Weasel
Radio and Weasel joined YouTube on August 21, 2012, and their channel has since grown to 414,000 subscribers and 219 videos, totalling over 134 million views. The very first upload, Can’t Let You Go, released on the day the channel was created, has 4.6 million views. Most viewed uploads like Gutamiza featuring B2C (July 2017) have pulled in 10 million views, while Hellena (November 2013) and Bread and Butter (April 2013) have 9.6 million and 9.3 million views, respectively.

#6. David Lutalo
Created on 16 December 2015, David Lutalo’s Official YouTube channel, with 116 uploads, boasts over 529,000 subscribers and 121 million total views. The channel’s first uploads, Saabulula (May 2016) and Yaamanyi (June 2016), have a viewership of 1.3 million and 4.3 million views, respectively. Among his most popular videos, Kabisi Ka Ndagala (November 2021) has 8.9 million views, Yankutudde (July 2022) has 7.5 million, and Manya (October 2020) has 6.1 million views.

#7. Spice Diana
Since launching her YouTube channel in April 2015, Spice Diana has attracted over 624,000 subscribers and 116 million views from 308 uploads. Her first official music video and upload on the channel, Tekinanta (August 2015), has 196,000 views. Leading uploads over the years include Anti Kale (October 2017) with 6.5 million views, Body featuring Nince Henry (June 2021) at 8.7 million, and Siri Regular (September 2022), which is still her biggest hit with 19 million views so far.

#8. Pallaso
Pallaso was among the first Ugandan artists to adapt to YouTube, launching his channel in April 2011. He has since built a following of 496,000 subscribers, uploaded 454 videos, and amassed over 111 million views. His earliest uploads, Anything for You, Dangerous, River Nile, and Save Me, were uploaded while he was still in the diaspora. Some of his most popular videos include Bubble Remix (April 2016) with 9 million views, Malamu (November 2020) with 7.6 million, and Nalonda Nemala (March 2021) with 7.2 million views.

#9. Bobi Wine
With 434,000 subscribers, Bobi Wine’s YouTube channel, created in May 2012, features 152 videos and has gathered over 91 million views. His early uploads include By Far (June 2012) with 560,000 views, For Better For Worse (June 2012) with 1.1 million, and Tugambire Ku Jeniffer (September 2012) with 2.6 million views. Later hits such as Kyarenga (June 2018) with 5.5 million views, Aidah (June 2016) with 4.3 million, and Wendi (June 2021) with 4.3 million continue to draw in his strong audience.

#10. Bebe Cool
Bebe Cool was among the first Ugandan artists to adapt to YouTube, joining the platform in January 2009. His channel now has 386,000 subscribers and over 87 million views from 259 video uploads.

His earliest uploads, including Maria Maria and a Nelson Mandela Birthday performance from 2009, show how far back his digital presence goes. Over time, Bebe Cool has built a strong catalogue, with major hits like Love You Everyday (July 2014) racking up 16 million views, Wire Wire (September 2019) with 12 million, and Kasepiki (March 2010) reaching 3.6 million views.

The years listed beside each music title represent when the artists uploaded the songs to their official YouTube channels, not the songs’ original release dates.

YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, delivers an endless stream of content from tutorials to entertainment, name it. But those constant ads can sour the experience.

For everyday YouTube users fed up with these interruptions, YouTube Premium offers a fix: ad-free viewing, exclusive features, and a music streaming service that rivals Spotify or Apple Music.

If you’re considering the switch, this article breaks down the costs, features and workarounds, including how YouTube Music fits in, even in regions like Uganda where access is limited.

What is YouTube Premium?
Launched in 2018 (originally as YouTube Red in 2015), YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service designed to enhance the YouTube user experience, with ad-free viewing, exclusive features and access to YouTube Music Premium.

In February 2024, YouTube reported over 100 million Premium subscribers. Yes, people are actually switching to YouTube Premium, likely due to the increasing number of ads per video on the free version.

How Much Does YouTube Premium Cost?
As of 2025, here are the monthly YouTube Premium prices in several regions:

YouTube Premium Pricing in Uganda
Individual Plan: $3.99​/month
Family Plan: $7.49​/month
Student Plan: $2.35​/month

YouTube Premium Pricing in the US
Individual Plan: $13.99​/month
Family Plan: $22.99​/month
Student Plan: $7.99​/month

YouTube Premium Pricing in the UK
Individual Plan: £12.99​/month
Family Plan: £19.99​/month
Student Plan: £7.99​/month

Check your region’s YouTube Premium price here.
Note: Prices vary by location and payment method. Using VPNs, some users pay less by setting their account location to countries with cheaper rates.

What Do You Get with YouTube Premium?
YouTube Premium stands out for two key reasons: a no-ads experience and access to exclusive features not available on the free version.

No Ads, No Interruptions
You can watch any video on YouTube, YouTube Kids, or YouTube Music, without pre-roll, mid-roll, or banner ads. With YouTube Premium, it’s all a clean experience across all devices.

While some users rely on ad blockers or opt for YouTube Premium Lite (which offers only ad-free playback), the full Premium plan adds much more.

YouTube Premium Exclusive Features
YouTube Premium unlocks tools and perks that many users find genuinely useful.

#1. Background Play
This feature lets you keep playing YouTube videos, shorts or music in the background while using other apps, even when your phone, tablet, or iPad screen is locked. It’s useful for multitasking, especially when listening to long videos like podcasts, tutorials, or interviews. You can even hide the minimised player from the screen.

On both YouTube and the YouTube Music App, this feature also supports locked screen controls, just like Spotify or Apple Music.

#2. Offline Downloads
While this feature is available to non-premium users as well, YouTube Premium subscribers can download videos in the highest resolution, without being limited to medium or low quality.

#3. YouTube Music Premium
Included with YouTube Premium, this service offers ad-free music streaming, offline downloads, and background play in the YouTube Music app.

Think of it as YouTube’s answer to Spotify or Apple Music, but with one key advantage: You can switch between audio-only and video without restarting the song or leaving the app. You can also find songs simply by typing a line or two of the lyrics.

YouTube Music Premium includes all distributed music content, singles, EPs, albums, covers, and live performances. A contributor at 9to5Google described it as the largest music collection on the internet. In our opinion, it’s just a streaming platform that needs a better structure.

Not to get confused, it’s the same YouTube Music app but with Premium features unlocked, limited regions.

#4. Premium Controls
Available in the additional settings when playing a video, Premium Controls give you a cleaner panel for play, pause, and skipping 10 seconds forward or back. This is specifically useful when watching long explainer videos, saving you the time spent dragging the video slider to rewind or skip.

The panel also includes a Stable Volume feature, and like on the free version, it lets you adjust playback speed and video quality, with the added benefit of an enhanced 1080p option.

#5. Enhanced Video Quality for 1080 Videos
Most noticeable on desktop and TV, there’s a difference between standard 1080p HD and the enhanced bitrate 1080p Premium HD. But this alone isn’t a strong reason to subscribe to YouTube Premium, since most videos don’t even support the enhanced option.

#6. Experimental Features:
Premium subscribers get early access to new features, like AI-powered video Q&A tools and smart downloads that automatically save recommended Shorts and videos to your device.

Is YouTube Premium Worth It?
The answer depends on how you use YouTube.

If you are a heavy YouTube user, hate Ads, enjoy music and are already subscribed to Spotify or Apple Music, YouTube Premium is worth it.

Let’s assume you’re open to switching to YouTube Music, which offers a similar experience to other music streaming services. Some users report better audio quality on YouTube Music compared to Spotify or Apple Music.

If this sounds like you, cancelling your current music plan for YouTube Premium gives you both music streaming and ad-free video in one subscription. Plus, you get YouTube-exclusive features.

Alternatively, you could keep both, let’s say, Spotify for music and YouTube Premium for an ad-free experience and exclusive features.

But if you mainly watch non-music content like tutorials, vlogs, or explainer videos and don’t care about podcasts or music streaming, YouTube Premium might not be worth it.

In this case, YouTube Premium Lite, though limited to some countries, could work. It offers an ad-free experience without the extra features or access to YouTube Music Premium.

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• Top 10 Ugandan YouTubers to watch in 2025

We all watch YouTube for education purposes, for entertainment, or just for fun. It’s a fun way to pass time after all. But while many flock to YouTube daily, how many of us actually seek out Ugandan YouTube channels? Shouldn’t we be supporting our own creators, too?

Uganda is bursting with talented content creators who are informing, inspiring, and entertaining millions both locally and globally. From heartwarming dance routines to DIY farming tips, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re in the mood to laugh, learn, or just vibe, here are the top 10 Ugandan YouTubers to watch in 2025 across a mix of categories.

#1 Rico Animations
Category: Entertainment, Animation
Best for: Kids, families, animation lovers
YouTube Subscribers: 12.4M (as of April 2025)

Rico Animations began as a small digital art and storytelling project, eventually catching up to fame with its viral skits and animations that depict everyday African life. With over 12 million subscribers, it has become a household name not just in Uganda but across Africa, truth to the point, if you have seen 2D animations on your social media within the Ugandan locale, chances are you have seen some of Rico’s work.

This channel features hilarious and heartwarming animated stories that usually reflect African realities and everyday life lessons. The animations are clean, high-quality, and often packed with moral teachings, making them perfect for all age groups, especially children. If you’re looking for African storytelling in a fun and visual format, this is where to start. Plus, the relatable humour keeps you coming back for more.
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#2 Masaka Kids Afrikana
Category: Music, Dance, Culture
Best for: Feel-good entertainment, cultural pride
YouTube Subscribers: 4.22M (as of April 2025)

Founded as a nonprofit to support vulnerable children through art, the Masaka Kids Afrikana channel became a global phenomenon, reaching a massive 4+ million subscribers. These kids from Masaka have taken the world by storm with their infectious energy and inspiring stories.

The channel features high-energy dance performances from talented children, all while highlighting Uganda’s rich music and cultural heritage. Beyond the catchy music and moves, their stories of resilience and community support also strike a powerful chord, showing how no matter the situation or circumstance, one can survive. It’s not just a YouTube channel—it’s a movement that uplifts and empowers.
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#3 The Kakande Ministries
Category: Inspirational, Religious
Best for: Spiritual growth, sermons
YouTube Subscribers: 3.78M (as of April 2025)

Known for powerful sermons and inspirational content, The Kakande Ministries has built a large following both locally and internationally. The channel features full-length services, teachings, and spiritual testimonies that uplift and encourage viewers from all walks of life.

If you’re looking to add faith-based content to your subscription list, this channel is a beacon for those who find strength and direction in religious teachings.
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#4 Eddy Kenzo
Category: Music, Lifestyle
Best for: Afrobeat fans, behind-the-scenes content
YouTube Subscribers: 2.58M (as of April 2025)

Eddy Kenzo launched his YouTube channel as an extension of his booming music career, giving fans a direct line to his latest releases and personal journey. The BET Award winner uses his channel to drop new music videos, promote collaborations, and give fans an insider look at his life and performances.

With consistent uploads and global appeal, this is a go-to for anyone who loves Afrobeat, inspirational music, or just wants to follow one of Uganda’s biggest stars.
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#5 Angella Summer Namubiru
Category: Beauty, Lifestyle, Tutorials
Best for: Skincare lovers, makeup fans, fashion followers
YouTube Subscribers: 2.27M (as of April 2025)

Black, village setting, huge afro hair? Yep, we have all seen this one. Starting out on Instagram and TikTok, Angella transitioned to YouTube to offer deeper, long-form content. Her channel is now a hub for beauty routines, skincare tips, lifestyle vlogs, and fashion advice.

She represents the modern Ugandan woman, blending traditional grace (rural Uganda setting) with global trends. Whether you’re looking for natural skincare routines or just want to explore what life looks like through her lens, this channel delivers both glam and substance, great for lifestyle enthusiasts.
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#6 Triplets Ghetto Kids
Dance, Entertainment, Youth Empowerment
Best for: Dance lovers, positive vibes
YouTube Subscribers: 1.96M (as of April 2025)

The Triplets Ghetto Kids were discovered after a dance video went viral online, so it’s only natural that they have a YouTube channel. What started as a local dance group turned into an internationally recognized brand, performing alongside global artists and winning fans across continents, and indeed, they are one of Uganda’s most recognised dance groups.

From Dusty Streets to Kampala Superstars: African Ghetto Talent.

Their channel is packed with dance routines, rehearsals, and motivational content, showing that talent plus hard work equals success, however, hard the circumstances maybe. It’s a celebration of youthful passion and determination.
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#7 THE GAMER KH
Category: Gaming, Tech Reviews
Best for: Gamers, tech lovers
YouTube Subscribers: 1.93M (as of April 2025)

For the gamers out there, this one is for you, and you have probably seen a lot of gaming content on YouTube, but have you tried a Ugandan channel? THE GAMER KH started out sharing simple mobile game walkthroughs but has since evolved into a trusted voice in Uganda’s growing gaming scene. The channel offers game reviews, tutorials, and commentary for popular games.

It’s refreshing to see gaming content from a Ugandan perspective, and it helps connect local gamers to a global scene. Expect updates on popular mobile and console titles, plus tech gadgets that make the experience even better.
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#8 Gavana Worldwide
Category: Comedy, Pranks, Drama
Best for: Viewers looking for light-hearted fun, inspirational stories, and laugh-out-loud sketches
YouTube Subscribers: 1.65M (as of April 2025)

Another comedy and entertainer, Gavana Worldwide, blends high-energy comedy with motivational and dramatic storytelling. His content ranges from hilarious pranks and street interactions to emotional short films that explore themes like love, family, and everyday struggles.
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#9 Aim Armstrong
Category: Comedy, Entertainment
Best for: Fans of Ugandan humour, skits, and everyday relatable content
YouTube Subscribers: 1.63M (as of April 2025)

Aim Armstrong is one of Uganda’s most recognised comedic creators on YouTube. Known for his hilarious skits and short-form comedic storytelling, Aim’s videos often capture Ugandan life…from exaggerated village tales to modern-day urban humour.

With over 257 million total views, he has built a loyal following by consistently delivering content that’s both funny and deeply relatable to local and diaspora audiences.
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#10 Nation Infinity Africa
Category: Entertainment, Music and Dance
YouTube Subscribers: 1.58M (as of April 2025)

Like the Ghetto Kids and Masaka Kids Africana, Nation Infinity Africa is a non-government organisation based in Uganda, established to uplift youngsters via their talent, specifically through dance and drama.

From Kampala’s Makindye division, the NGO uses YouTube as a window into the lives of talented youths expressing themselves through rhythm, movement, and culture, collaborating with local and international partners like the GROW initiative to further their impact and create opportunity for Uganda’s underprivileged youth. More info at nationinfinityafrica.org
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#11 UGXTRA Comedy
Category: Comedy, Entertainment
Best for: Comedy lovers, entertainment seekers
YouTube Subscribers: 1.58M (as of April 2025)

UGXTRA Comedy knows exactly how to turn everyday Ugandan life into non-stop laughter. The skits featured capture the essence of local humour with exaggeration, perfect timing, and sometimes, a little unexpected wisdom. From chaotic taxi rides to hilarious village misunderstandings, it’s an honest reflection of society through comedy. If you enjoy cracking up over content that hits close to home, this one’s got your name on it.
View Channel

#12 Maraki English with Abi
Category: Education, Language Learning
Best for: Students, job seekers, English learners
YouTube Subscribers: 656K (as of April 2025)

For those wishing to learn or refine their use of the English language, Abi, an English language instructor, started the YouTube channel to help Ugandan and East African learners improve their English for exams, job interviews, and everyday use. The calm teaching style and clear explanations quickly won her a loyal following, with parents referring their children to the channel for educational purposes.

Abi breaks down grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary in ways that are easy to follow, especially for non-native speakers in East Africa. Her practical tips and real-life usage make learning English less daunting and more effective.
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#13 Farm Up
Category: DIY, Agriculture, Education
Best for: Aspiring farmers, sustainability lovers, DIYers
YouTube Subscribers: 538K (as of April 2025)

Started by a team of passionate agriculturists, Farm Up was created to bridge the knowledge gap in Ugandan farming communities. The channel teaches modern, sustainable farming practices in a relatable and easy-to-follow format.

With simple, relatable language and demonstrations, it’s a goldmine for anyone curious about agribusiness, home gardening, or simply making better use of available land. In a time when more youths are embracing agriculture, this channel is a practical, educational resource with real impact.
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