Music legend Jose Chameleone says although Uganda is still trailing Kenya and Tanzania in the music arena, there are areas where his country excels the rest.
According to the Leone Island boss and one of the most revered artists in the region, Ugandan musicians were left behind decades ago because they largely lacked financial resources.
He gave the example of Kenya where as far back as the 1990s, artists could afford the very best of music equipment.
“Kenyans were very rich and they invested a lot of money in their music,” he said.
“At the time we had three studios here, they had like 50; so they were far ahead of us.”
As for the Tanzanians, Chameleone says they moved faster than Ugandans because they have the most patriotic fan base.
This he says is the reason for the exponential rise of artists like Diamond Platinumz, who is treated like royalty by everyone in his country.
Yet what Uganda lacks in resources and patriotism, according to Chamelone, it makes up for in talent.
The Valu Valu singer believes that neither Kenya nor Tanzania comes close to Uganda in producing music talent.
“I can tell you this my friends, our neighbors have the equipment and the love, but they cannot sing like us,” he said.
“This is the only weapon we have and this is what we have to capitalize on to build ourselves, the rest will come along.”
Chameleone was speaking at the weekly Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) jam session in Makindye.
At the meeting, he rallied his fellow artists to appreciate the importance of working together in the federation.
He also condemned some of the musicians who have abandoned the outfit since it was created in May this year.
Enock Mugabi aka iWitness is a Journalist, Seasoned Writer and Music Analyst with a passion for sports.
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