Sitting behind his recording console at his studio, renowned producer Kayiwa Mukasa, alias Paddy Man, recalls a moment when an artist walked in with a controversial song. As the beats began to play, Paddy Man quickly realized the lyrics were vulgar and unsuitable. Without hesitation, he refunded the artist’s money and politely asked them to leave. “I’ve done it before,” he shared on Sanyuka TV’s Bigenda Bitya program, highlighting his unwavering stance on promoting decency in music.
Paddy Man’s actions come amid growing public concern over the rise of vulgar content in Uganda’s music industry. Recently, artists like Gravity Omutujju and Mukasa Yasin (Lili Pazo) released songs that have sparked outrage, with leaders like the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, condemning such material. During a visit by kadongo kamu legend Lord Fred Ssebata, the Katikkiro urged artists to focus on educating and inspiring audiences. He went a step further, instructing Buganda Kingdom media outlets, including CBS FM and BBS Terefayina, to ban songs by the two artists until they revise their art.
The issue escalated when the Uganda National Cultural Forum (UNCF), led by Fina Mugerwa, summoned the artists to address their motives for promoting vulgarity. Supported by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the police, the stakeholders resolved to prohibit media houses from playing the duo’s songs, prevent promoters from hiring them, and bar their participation in public events. Despite being invited to a meeting on December 9, the two artists failed to appear, intensifying calls for stricter enforcement.
This debate underscores a larger conversation about the responsibility of musicians in shaping cultural values. As leaders and stakeholders unite to combat vulgarity in art, Paddy Man’s decisive actions resonate as a call for other industry players to prioritize integrity and positive influence in their work.
