Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Uganda National Musicians Federation president Eddy Kenzo has spoken about his long-running differences with fellow musician Bebe Cool, saying the singer struggles to remain in spaces where he is not the leader.
Moses Ssali Alia's Bebe Cool
Kenzo has been president of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) since its formation in 2023, when Bebe Cool was appointed to head the Finance Committee.
The relationship between the two musicians has, however, been marked by disagreements over leadership and the running of the federation.
Bebe Cool later stepped away from the federation, saying he disagreed with how it was being operated. In 2025, he said the federation had moved away from the reasons for which it was established and that, despite his role in finance, he felt he was not sufficiently involved when government funds were received.
Bebe Cool has also raised concerns about the federation’s accountability and structure, arguing that proper systems should be established before it handles significant government funding.
Kenzo, meanwhile, has continued to defend his position as the industry's elected leader. In 2025, he said he respected Bebe Cool but that he had a responsibility to make decisions in the interests of musicians generally rather than a few individuals.
Kenzo's influence extends beyond the federation. In August 2024, President Yoweri Museveni appointed him Senior Presidential Adviser on Creatives, giving him a formal government role in matters concerning Uganda's creative industry.
The latest comments therefore add another chapter to the differences between two of Uganda's prominent musicians, whose relationship has increasingly involved questions of leadership, representation and control within the country's creative sector.
