Why many politicians are now relying on Lingala music to woo voters

By Steven Masiga

If your voters lose appetite for sugar, salt, and soap, then change the menu to something like music in order to grab their attention during election time. In the 1984 general elections, President Mobutu of Zaire scored 99% simply because of Franco’s music titled Mobutu the Best Candidate.

In Uganda, ministers have now become better dancers, and one hopes this doesn’t interfere with the serious roles they are meant to execute in office. They should prioritize policy formulation over dancing strokes.

Lately, Ugandan politicians are carefully studying the true demands of their voters. I have seen older political contenders like General Moses Ali and Hon. Matia Kasaija pulling off some antiquated strokes to woo voters to their side.

In the past, winning an election was about having a very good wallet. However, today, besides cash, you also need good dancing strokes. One day, music will sweep away the idea of giving voters physiological needs like sugar and salt. Voters will soon be swayed by good dancing strokes alone. I recall in 2017, Bobi Wine emerged on the political stage and captured serious attention of ghetto voters through music.

Music as a political tool for mobilization is not restricted to Uganda. For example, in the 1980s, when Congolese maestro Franco Luambo sang for President Mobutu during the 1984 general elections, Mobutu got 99% in the elections. “Candidat Mobutu Na Biso” (Mobutu the Best Candidate for Zaire) was a powerful political hit and did wonders for Mobutu’s image. If used correctly, music is magnetic and can attract millions to a political cause.

President Museveni, in his formative days of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), was praised for relying on ideology in governing his people. Scholars like Prof. Tandon and Prof. Nabudere had varying estimations of Museveni then. Prof. Mahmood Mamdani and others, in their texts under UFAHAMU, The Rise and Fall of Philosopher Kings in East Africa, heaped praise on Museveni as the best intellectual on the African continent. His works such as Fanon’s Theory of Violence and Its Verification in Mozambique and Sowing the Master Seed validated his status as a serious scholar engaged in activism and governance.

However, in recent years, the President appears to have abandoned ideology for music, especially as his opponents like Bobi Wine, Norbert Mao, and Kizza Besigye use music to deplete his base. To counter this, Museveni went on a musical rampage releasing hit after hit, beginning with Another Rap, then Mpenkoni (about wild animals destroying crops), and later Paka Rubale Alerting Kwezi ahead of the 2021 elections. Mpenkoni may have been a metaphor for a stick, or gun, used to fend off political opponents determined to grab his throne.

With the 2026 general elections less than 200 days away, Museveni may again be planning to release another hit to spice up his campaigns. Col. Kizza Besigye has restrained himself to dancing rather than composing music, preferring to enjoy the songs his supporters perform. He has not released any political hit yet—perhaps with time on his hands in Luzira, he could be cooking up something under his new party, PPF.

Whereas music is effective for promoting a political message, many politicians have struggled to craft meaningful messages through music. In Zaire, Franco Luambo, known to be close to Mobutu, once composed Luvambo Ndoki—a song about a witch devouring villagers. Mobutu interpreted it as an attack on him and had Franco locked up.

Experts on music say if used correctly, music is the best tool in mobilizing masses. Remember the famous Tubonga Nawe by Chameleone and others—it worked massively for the NRM.

Music’s intrusion into politics and revolutionary struggles is not new. The military, church, governments, and even the bereaved—including slaves transported across the Atlantic—have all used music for various purposes. National anthems warm audiences with music; many use songs to attack opponents, while others sing genuinely from the heart to highlight societal issues.

Fela Kuti sang massive resistance songs and even declared his own republic. Sometimes, music creates a false sense of status. In Fela’s republic, he had a government within a government until General Olusegun Obasanjo had him locked up. In Uganda, the Ghetto President Bobi Wine similarly operated a state within a state—with military-style attire, ranks, salutes, and the title ‘His Excellency.’ This gave him the motivation to join real politics to fulfill this utopian vision.

Government has since outlawed wearing military-related attire.

Bobi Wine is using music to mobilize city voters. As a young politician with a modest purse, music became his tool of mobilisation. He released hits attacking the infamous City Hall executive, like Tugambire Ku Jennifer—targeting Jennifer Musisi, then head of KCCA—who was cracking down on city vendors. Other songs addressed unity despite elections and pleaded with police to stop violence, claiming he fought for their welfare. He even promised to raise their salaries—a kiwani (false) pay rise.

President Museveni countered this directly and through agents like Catherine Kusasira, Bebe Cool, and others. Many musicians were quickly drafted into state and party responsibilities and secured by police or military escorts to mobilize support for the NRM. Kampala was booming with music and money; many deserted the ghetto cause. The likes of Mark Bugembe and Full Figure became respected dignitaries under state protection.

NRM effectively used music to mobilize. Museveni released hits appealing to youth, and it paid off. To reinforce his grip on power ahead of 2026, he may continue with music—because many voters have lost taste for ideology and now demand entertainment.

Politicians now use music to push political causes instead of ideology. Music leads voters to the ballot box. If your electorate loses taste for ideology, you change the menu—or the tune. That is why many politicians are turning musical to protect their bases.