By Mulengera Reporters
A light-hearted remark by media personality Abbey Mukiibi sparked a tense but brief exchange with House of Prayer Ministries Senior Pastor Aloysius Bugingo during the launch of the Ataakulaba Heritage Music Initiative at an executive dinner hosted by Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director George William Nyombi Thembo.
The event, held at Mestil Hotel in Nsambya on Thursday evening 11th June 2026, brought together cultural leaders, government officials, media executives, musicians and stakeholders from Uganda’s creative industry to unveil an ambitious campaign aimed at preserving, digitizing and promoting Uganda’s Kadongo Kamu music heritage.
The initiative seeks to rescue valuable Kadongo Kamu recordings that risk being lost due to ageing archives, deteriorating analogue formats and declining exposure among younger generations. Through digitization, restoration, cataloguing and distribution on modern digital platforms, UCC hopes to preserve one of Uganda’s most influential music genres for future generations while creating economic opportunities for veteran artists.
Serving as master of ceremonies, Mukiibi, a veteran broadcaster, actor and longtime presenter of CBS Radio’s morning show Kaliisoliiso, kept guests entertained with his trademark humour throughout the evening. However, one of his jokes directed at Pastor Bugingo during a fundraising session drew an immediate response.
As organizers sought contributions towards the Ataakulaba Heritage Music Showcase scheduled for July 1, 2026, at Sheraton Gardens Kampala, Mukiibi invited Pr. Bugingo to make his pledge and jokingly remarked that some people viewed a pastor’s support for secular events as a sign of spiritual backsliding.
The comment generated laughter among guests, but Bugingo responded by defending his longstanding support for artists regardless of whether they performed gospel or secular music.
Before announcing his contribution, the pastor emphasized that he had supported musicians for many years and saw no reason to stop because of public perception. He maintained that supporting Uganda’s creative industry did not conflict with his faith and said those who interpreted such involvement as backsliding were entitled to their opinions while he continued supporting causes he believed in.
Bugingo who owns Salt TV and Radio later pledged free advertising on all his media platforms to help promote the heritage showcase and asked organizers to formally engage his office regarding the arrangement.
The brief exchange quickly gave way to an evening of celebration as guests immersed themselves in performances and discussions centred on Uganda’s musical heritage.
One of the night’s most memorable moments came when Buganda Prince David Wasajja unexpectedly stepped onto the stage and performed one of the classic Kadongo Kamu songs. His spontaneous performance excited the audience, although it initially left instrumentalists struggling to identify the correct rhythm.
Veteran band musician Mesach Semakula quickly rushed to the stage to support the prince with backup vocals, while celebrated Kadongo Kamu singer Mathias Walukagga picked up a guitar and helped establish the song’s beat. Other artists soon joined in, transforming the performance into an impromptu celebration of the genre.
Nyombi Thembo, who has a background in music and drama, also joined those backing the prince’s performance, earning cheers and applause from guests.
The atmosphere became even more festive as admirers showed appreciation for Prince Wasajja’s performance by stepping forward to shower him with money in the traditional gesture commonly known as “okumufuuwa.”
Beyond the entertainment, the evening underscored the urgency of preserving Kadongo Kamu music, whose historic recordings face the threat of disappearance as archives age and analogue storage formats deteriorate.
The upcoming Ataakulaba Heritage Music Showcase is expected to bring together legendary musicians, cultural leaders, broadcasters, content creators, researchers, students and members of the public in a celebration of Uganda’s rich musical legacy.
For many attendees, the dinner served as a reminder that preserving cultural heritage goes beyond safeguarding old recordings. It is also about creating new memories and fostering connections between generations through the music that has shaped Uganda’s identity for decades.
