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Hip Hop in Uganda Uganda's music scene had been quite lively until a period of dictatorial reign in the early seventies disturbed much of everyday life. The capital Kampala was only just recovering from its wounds caused by 15 years of war when I visited in 1993. Apparently now night life has been restored into more than it used to be. Hip hop originally caught on with students of Makerere university and other institutions, but now radio stations pump the latest r&b, ragga anf hip hop from the rest of the world (read: USA & Jamaica). Some local artists have been signalled on their way to establishing a carreer in Rap Music or even Raggamuffin. Local newspaper Monitor wrote about the impact of toasters such as the Jamaican Red Rat whose music is being played by Kampala's Sanyu FM radio station. The latter was reported to have been booked for a performance in Kampala by local organizers Little Mama Promotions. Below are some names that have made a buzz locally. We hope to add to the list soon, with some more background info too. Ragga Dee track: Mukyala jump around (1997) Natural Black track: MFfe ba Wankyima Bebe Cool Emperor Orlando Shanks Vivid tracks: Mukampala, Bundu Used to work with late Menton Summer with whom he did 'Mukampala'. Production of that track was by DJ Ssali. Following is a newspaper cutting about Shanks, who is watched by the Ugandan press: Shanks launches smash hit today (article from the Monitor newspaper, Uganda) September 7, 1998 By Dusman A. Okee, Kampala Hardly a year after releasing the super ragga hit Bundu, irrepressible musician Robert Baguma better known as Shanks Vivi D is at it again. Today, Monday, Sept. 7 Shanks releases yet another song. It's the promising hit, "Nsangi". The song will be officially launched on CBS FM by presenter-cum-musician Robert Ogwal alias Rasta Rob MC at 8:30 p.m during his Super Show. Other FM stations will also officially play the song at the appointed time. Shanks told The Monitor last week that he will promote the two songs, "Nsangi" and Bundu, during shows with South African star Yvonne Chaka Chaka in Kigali on Sept. 11 and again on Sept. 13 in Masaka with Chaka Chaka and PJ Powers. Powers is a white South African music star of the Jubulani fame. Shanks, also a presenter of weekend shows on CBS, said "Nsangi" is a plea for a morally upright society with a special caution to young girls to avoid lecherous men out to lure them into immoral acts thereby ruining their future. Shanks seems to be content with preaching. Why, Bundu, done under the inspiration of Adam Keita, an Afro-Arab of Ugandan origin, also moralises. It urges children to be respectful of their parents. Later this month, Vivi D will storm the Kenyan capital Nairobi from where he is set to launch a new album entitled "Dunnia" which he did with Carol Nakimera. This one is about marriage. "I'm very sure that "Nsangi" will have good potential in the market like Bundu and Kakokolo which have continued to register good sales todate," prayed dread-locked Shanks. He also took time off to thank his promoters; Ange Noir, Lusyn Enterprises, Club Silk, Afro-Sounds, Bigways (U) Ltd, Kasiwukira Ltd, Yohannes Ham Inx, Nile Breweries and the Amashanka Crew.