Takeaways

• Joshua Baraka has released ‘YOYO,’ a romantic single about moving beyond the uncertainty of a situationship and choosing to pursue a real relationship.
• The song blends English, French, Luganda and Lingala, highlighting Joshua’s versatility and distinctive contemporary African pop sound.
• ‘YOYO’ is his second single of 2026 and previews his upcoming ‘Recess 2’ EP, with Joshua also set to take the song to fans across Uganda on a countrywide tour.

Ugandan singer-songwriter Joshua Baraka has released his new single, “YOYO,” a vibrant love song that explores the excitement, uncertainty and chemistry of turning a complicated romance into something more serious.

The song tackles the familiar experience of being caught in a situationship — where two people clearly have feelings for each other but have not yet defined their relationship. Instead of remaining in that uncertain space, Joshua uses “YOYO” to explore the courage it takes to turn that connection into something real.

Adding to the song’s appeal is its blend of English, French, Luganda and Lingala, creating a distinctly East African sound with a global feel. The multilingual approach also reflects Joshua’s growing versatility and evolving musical identity.

“YOYO” is Joshua Baraka’s second single of 2026, following his earlier release this year, and serves as another preview of his forthcoming project, “Recess 2.” Joshua wrote and produced the song himself, with additional production from Hendrix Sam.

The upcoming EP is expected to further showcase Joshua’s songwriting, versatility and ability to tell intimate stories through contemporary African pop. “YOYO” sets the tone with its romantic theme, infectious energy and relatable message about taking a chance on love.

Beyond the release, Joshua is also set to connect with fans across Uganda through a countrywide tour. The tour kicks off this week in Northern Uganda before moving to West Nile, Eastern and Western Uganda, giving fans outside Kampala an opportunity to experience his music catalogue and hear “YOYO” live.

With “YOYO,” Joshua Baraka turns the uncertainty of a situationship into a celebration of choosing love — and asking the question: what if we stop calling this a situationship and make it something real?