TAKEAWAYS

• Karole Kasita says Ugandan music lacks a distinct sound of its own.
• She notes that local artists blend dancehall, Afrobeats and other musical influences.
• She believes a country’s musical identity should be recognisable to international audiences.

Singer Karole Kasita has expressed concern over the lack of a distinct sound in Uganda’s music industry, arguing that most local music blends different sounds and influences.

Speaking in a recent interview with Galaxy TV, Kasita noted that Ugandan musicians often combine elements of dancehall, Jamaican music, Afrobeats, and other genres in a single beat, making it difficult to identify a sound that is uniquely Ugandan.

“We infuse dancehall, Jamaican, Afro beat, and so many others in one beat,” she said.

Kasita explained that for a country to establish its own musical identity, its sound should be distinctive enough to attract listeners beyond its borders, allowing them to recognise where the music originates simply by listening to it.

Her remarks highlight the ongoing conversation about Uganda’s musical identity and the need for local artists to develop a signature sound that can distinguish the country’s music on the international stage.