TAKEAWAYS

• Bien says Uganda’s music industry relies too heavily on hit songs and nationwide tours.

• He argues the model discourages innovation and limits artists from expanding beyond Uganda.

• His comments have sparked mixed reactions, with many Ugandans agreeing the industry needs to evolve.

Kenyan singer-songwriter Bien-Aimé Baraza, popularly known as Bien, has sparked debate after criticizing the structure of Uganda’s music industry, arguing that its current business model limits artists from achieving regional and international success.

Speaking during a podcast interview, Bien explained that many Ugandan musicians rely heavily on a single hit song, which allows them to tour nearly every corner of the country for months while still earning a comfortable living.

“In Uganda, one hit song can take an artist around the whole country. You have to be there to understand how that system works.”

Bien compared the model to Kenya, where artists typically perform in major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu before being forced to seek opportunities beyond their borders. He noted that while Uganda’s approach works financially at home, it can discourage musicians from thinking bigger.

According to the award-winning artist, the comfort of the domestic market has also slowed the evolution of Uganda’s musical sound, with many artists focusing on producing songs that resonate only with local audiences instead of creating music with broader African or global appeal.

“The Ugandan sound has not evolved because artists are comfortable serving only the local market, and that comes at a cost.”

His remarks quickly ignited discussion across social media, where many Ugandans agreed that the country’s music industry has become overly dependent on local performances and viral hits. Others, however, defended the model, arguing that Uganda’s vibrant entertainment scene provides artists with steady income in a market where international touring opportunities remain limited.

The debate has apparently once again raised questions about whether Uganda’s music industry should rethink its business model to produce artists capable of competing consistently on the continental and global stage.