TAKEAWAYS

• Paddy Man says Iryn Namubiru is more versatile and can handle multiple genres with ease.

• He praises Juliana Kanyomozi as an outstanding musician who has mastered her signature sound.

• The producer believes it is difficult to declare one better than the other, beyond comparing versatility.

Comparisons between Ugandan music stars are never far away, especially when the artists rose around the same era and have both built legendary careers. One debate that has remained alive among fans for years is the comparison between Iryn Namubiru and Juliana Kanyomozi — two of Uganda’s most celebrated female vocalists.

Both artists have shaped the local music scene with timeless hits, emotional ballads and a vocal influence that has inspired generations of musicians. But when veteran producer Paddy Man, who has worked with both singers, was asked who stands above the other, he offered a measured and respectful response.

According to Paddy Man, his working relationship with Iryn Namubiru has been deeper, which has allowed him to see her range more closely. He described Namubiru as the more versatile of the two, saying she can comfortably adapt to different genres including dancehall, reggae, ragga, soukous and Afrobeats.

“Iryn is more versatile. She can do almost any genre you present to her.”

At the same time, he was quick to praise Juliana Kanyomozi, noting that while she may not move across as many genres, she remains exceptional in the lane she has mastered over the years.

“Juliana is excellent in the genres she has chosen and perfected. It is hard to say one is better than the other.”

Paddy Man also revealed that one of the moments that made him admire Juliana even more was when she delivered her English ballad Seven Days, a performance he says showed just how gifted she is as an artist.

In the end, he believes the debate should not be about who is outright better, but about what each artist brings to the table. For him, the clearest distinction between the two icons lies in versatility, technique and how effectively each singer uses her voice.