• Bushingtone says MPs are elected to represent constituencies, not the music industry
  • Voters who supported musician-MPs in 2021 were mostly ordinary constituents, not entertainers
  • Failure to meet constituency expectations likely led to musicians being voted out

Music analyst and producer Bushingtone has shared his candid assessment of why several musicians failed to retain or win parliamentary seats in the recently concluded elections, arguing that voters ultimately prioritize constituency representation over celebrity status.

In 2021, Uganda witnessed a historic wave of artists entering Parliament, including Dr. Hilderman, Geoffrey Lutaaya, Godfrey Kayemba Solo – Rema Namakula’s manager, and Rachael Magoola. Their victories fueled optimism within the creative industry, with many believing that stronger advocacy for entertainers would follow.

In the latest elections, however, that momentum stalled. Musicians such as Nina Roz, who hoped to join the August House, failed to secure seats, while several incumbents were voted out.

According to Bushingtone, the outcome was predictable.

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 “Parliament is not a music industry boardroom,” Bushington noted. “An MP is elected to represent a constituency and the country at large — not a profession. Music issues form a very small fraction of what Parliament debates.”

He explained that artists who won in 2021 were largely elected by ordinary voters, not fellow musicians. Using Mawokota North, where Dr. Hilderman previously served, Bushingtone emphasized that constituents expected tangible local development rather than sector-specific advocacy.

“Voters may have felt that their expectations were not fully met,” he said, adding that disappointment at constituency level often outweighs popularity or goodwill built through music.

Still, Bushingtone acknowledged that some musician-legislators made visible efforts to engage entertainment-related issues. He credited Dr. Hilderman and Godfrey Kayemba Solo for at least attempting to push conversations around the protection and recognition of creatives, even though such efforts were outside their core parliamentary mandate.

Ultimately, Bushingtone concluded that the recent election results reflect a growing political maturity among voters.

“Being famous helps you get noticed,” he said, “but performance, representation, and delivery are what keep you in Parliament.”