The just-concluded general elections of January 15 have demonstrated to Uganda’s artistes- turned-politicians that the august house may not be for everyone, after all.
Elected with huge popularity in the 2021 elections, artistes including Geoffrey Lutaaya, Dr Hilderman (real name Hillary Kiyaga) and Rachel Magoola transitioned from music to the Legislature, inspiring a generation of musicians that they too could be taken more seriously beyond their music.
In fact, during the Kawempe North by-election last year, Kawaida singer Khalifa Aganaga threw his hat into the ring as the Forum for Democratic Change flagbearer. He lost to National Unity Platform’s Erias Nalukoola.
Other artistes, such as comedian Hussein Muyonjo (aka Swengere) emulated Lutaaya, Magoola, Kiyaga and Bobi Wine before them, to try his shot at Parliament, and successfully bagged the seat for Jinja North, for his party NUP.
Clearly, it is going to be a lonely run for Muyonjo this time round, not to imply that the august house is short of drama and comedy of late! Fellow artiste Lutaaya lost the Kakuuto county seat to National Resistance Movement’s Ismail Lubega, while Dr Hilderman lost Mawokota North to NRM’s Amelia Kyambadde and Magoola failed to bounce back in Bugweri district where she is the outgoing woman MP.
It is back to the drawing board for the singers who have lost their lucrative parliament seats (an MP earns about Shs 25m monthly), but their fans can look forward to some good music, especially from Hilderman, who seems to have completely shelved his music career for politics.
Both Magoola and Lutaaya, on the other hand, have remained active musically throughout their parliamentary run, with Lutaaya even holding a Valentine’s Day concert last year – on top of releasing new music both in 2024 and 2025.
Magoola has also been seen performing with her band, Afrigo, even after she was declared Bugweri woman MP. Considering that there is nothing really memorable on the Hansard from the singers during their run in the Legislature, colleagues and fans will be excited to welcome them back fully to their day jobs.
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