TAKEAWAYS

• Ragga Dee says genuine politics in Uganda ended with President Museveni.

• He argues that many political aspirants are opportunists seeking attention rather than public service.

• The musician believes entertainers are unfairly dismissed as leaders despite their proven ability to build successful careers and large audiences.

Veteran musician and businessman Ragga Dee has stirred debate after claiming that genuine politics no longer exists in Uganda, arguing that politics effectively ended with President Yoweri Museveni.

Speaking during an interview, Ragga Dee said that many individuals who join politics today are driven by opportunism rather than ideology or service. According to him, most candidates simply identify issues they can talk about to attract attention and generate public excitement in hopes of winning votes.

“There is no politics in Uganda anymore. Most people joining politics are opportunists who look for issues to talk about so they can create buzz and gain support.”

Ragga Dee also questioned why some politicians who articulate meaningful ideas often fail to win elections. He cited former Kampala parliamentary aspirant Abraham Luzzi, whom he described as someone who consistently spoke about important issues but was never elected.

“People like Abraham Luzzi talked about the right things, but voters never elected them. Sometimes you wonder what those who won offer that is better than what such candidates presented.”

The former Lord Mayor candidate, who has unsuccessfully contested for political office twice, reflected on his own electoral struggles. He believes one of the major obstacles has been public perception toward musicians.

According to Ragga Dee, many voters underestimate entertainers and assume they lack the capacity to lead. He argued that sustaining a music career for more than four decades, building a loyal audience, and succeeding in business demonstrates leadership qualities that should not be ignored.

Despite his unsuccessful political bids, Ragga Dee remains one of Uganda’s most accomplished musicians and entrepreneurs, with a career spanning over 40 years and a lasting influence on the country’s entertainment industry.