Ugandan Musicians that have released songs about Corona virus awareness

Music

Ugandan musicians may be stuck at home, but they get a moment to go to studio and create good music to help raise awareness about corona virus that causes COVID-19.

Since last month, several  good songs were released and more songs are still to be released to help sensitize the public about this virus  as that seems to be the only activity going after banning all gatherings of more than 5 people, closing bars and all entertainment venues which were otherwise looked at as their avenues for earning. 

Using music to spread disease awareness is not a new thing in Uganda and the world at large. In the late 1990 and early 2000s, several Ugandans added their voices to sensitise Ugandans about HIV/AIDS.A lot of songs and poems were released with the most famous one; alone and frightened was sung by Philly Bongole Lutaaya.

Ugandan music fans have already started comparing all the songs and picking their favourite corona virus related songs

Bobi Wine – ‘Coronavirus Alert’

Bobi Wine real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu released the song to raise awareness about COVID-19 after Uganda reported 14 confirmed cases. The musician-turned-politician released a song to raise awareness about the coronavirus pandemic as his country imposes new restrictions in a bid to stem the spread of the virus.

Bobi Wine, teamed up with fellow musician Nubian Li to highlight the importance of personal hygiene in the fight against the disease that has claimed the lives of more than 21,000 people worldwide.

The song that lasts only 1 minute and 54 seconds has been made an anthem for most local TVS in Uganda and has received airplay from Aljazeera, Voice of America, BBC, CNN and been written about by other international blogs. It was also endorsed by the President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta. While some people believe that he didn’t give much information in the song, others believe that it’s just what Ugandans needed, brief precise to the point.

Bebe Cool ft All-stars – ‘Corona Distance’

Gagamel C.E.O Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool teamed up with several musicians and recorded a song to sensitize the massed on coronavirus that has put the world on a standstill. In this Coronavirus song, the artistes appeal to the masses out there in their different styles to wash hands thoroughly, not to shake hands and also observe the social distance.

The song that mostly appeals to uptown people sees artistes like Vinka, John Blaq, A Pass, Ykee Benda, Fik Fameika, Spice Diana, Azawi, Fresh Kid, Paper Daddy and Bebe Cool himself participate.

Even though the song is being played on TV and radio stations to help in sensitizing the masses, Bebe Cool believes it’s not getting as much airplay as Bobi Wine’s. The song had a good reception and was endorsed by the president of Uganda and Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.

While releasing the song, Bebe Cool has this message for Ugandans.

‘I would like to thank all the artistes who have participated in this chapter because they did this without any payment and would like to encourage you to also dedicate your platforms to educate our followers more about coronavirus and to follow the directives of the president and the ministry of health. 

According to a sneak-peek shared by Bebe Cool on social media, NRM activist Full Figure is one of the artistes featuring in part 2 of the ‘Corona Distance’ song.

Meseach Semakula – ‘Tusonyiwe’

He is the only artiste that gave the coronavirus song a unique touch. The song that is more like a prayer sees the Golden Band singer begging and crying to God to help the world and save us from the deadly coronavirus.

The COVID-19 prayer gives hope to many and makes believers know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. The song has equally received good airplay as we need all the hope we can get.

The lyrics carry a spiritual message, so powerful at a time of self-isolation, quarantine and social distancing in response to the spread of novel coronavirus.

MP Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga

Two days after Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine released a song on coronavirus awareness featuring Nubian Li, another MPfollowed suit. Mukono South MP Johnson Muyanja Ssenyonga is the latest politician to encourage Ugandans to follow the ministry of Health guidelines on prevention of coronavirus, through a song.

During his time as Mayor for Mukono Municipality, Sennyonga was famously referred to as “a singing Mayor” through his message songs. The MP has composed a song, asking the masses to take the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and heed to the caution sounded by the government.

The pandemic can be prevented through frequent hand washing, social distancing, sanitizing and self-isolation, among other measures.

Ykee Benda ft All-stars – ‘Corona’

Another group of artistes led by Ykee Benda took to the studio to add their voice to the ministry of health and the President’s voice to help sensitise the masses about the COVID-19.

In the song, YKee Benda featured King Saha, B2C, Joanita Kawalya and Fefe Busi among others. The song also puts out the message about coronavirus and how one can easily protect themselves from it.

In some of the lyrics, artists are seeking to lift the spirits of persons fighting a disease, whose genesis, mutation, management, and treatment, remains strange to mankind. It attracted 107K views in 3 days and is still attracting more views.

Jehovah Shalom Acapella Music Group – ‘Corona Virus’

In 2007 a group of five boys and two girls, then at Nakaseke SDA Secondary School, sat through a long night to work on their voices.

                                               

However, the girls dropped off along the way and the five boys stayed on as they thought through their next move and the type of music that would relate to their aspirations. However, they later settled on doing the acapella music genre.

With everything that going on in the world right now, the acapella singing group also came out and recorded a song on the coronavirus to sensitize the masses. The song that has an unusual sound sees the boys asking the public to take the precautions set by the Ministry of health seriously to avoid contracting the disease.

Spice Diana ft Fik Fameica – ‘Corona’

Spice Diana and Fik Fameica released their song to help fans stay safe and prevent COVID-19. The song dubbed Corona calls for personal hygiene of Ugandans given the magnitude of corona virus world over.

Spice is no stranger to corona virus, she was recently tested after her recent trip to Dubai which has contributed the many numbers to Uganda’s  cases. Spice Diana tested negative for COVID-19 to the relief of her fans.