Eddy Kenzo has ranked Uganda among Africa’s leading music industries, placing it at number three behind Nigeria and South Africa, while also recognising the influence of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).

Speaking to Galaxy TV, the Big Talent Entertainment boss defended Uganda’s musical identity against criticism that the country lacks a distinct sound, arguing that its diversity is one of its biggest strengths.

Kenzo explained that Uganda has several musical styles rooted in its culture, including traditional music and the adungu, a traditional string instrument, alongside other contemporary sounds.

We have many, we have cultural, adungus and all that… we have almost everything, and that’s our sound. It’s a matter of anybody doing whatever they feel like they want to do.

The singer argued that Ugandan music is rich and diverse, suggesting that its identity should not be limited to one particular genre or style.

Kenzo also pointed to his song Mbilo Mbilo Remix, featuring Nigerian singer Niniola, as an example of how Ugandan music can influence sounds beyond the country’s borders.

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According to him, the collaboration demonstrated how musical styles evolve, claiming that Nigerian artists moved away from some of their earlier sounds towards simpler beats and melodic Afrobeats influenced by styles such as zouk.

They moved away from their old sound and started doing the simple beats and melodic Afrobeats, the kind of zouk. All of them changed, but you can’t tell it to anyone here and they agree.