Uganda’s richest musicians

The debate for who is the richest Uganda musician is one that has been ongoing for years now. Different musicians have come out and said they are the richest.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Grace Nakimera

The debate for who is the richest Uganda musician is one that has been ongoing for years now. Different musicians have come out and said they are the richest.Music has in the past years been a very profitable career. Several people have made millions out of music. However, it is very hard to know the richest musician in the country due to absence of financial and business statistics.But, due to public demand, a thorough research on which musician owns what property in Uganda was made. The research includes interviews with musicians, talent managers, direct observations and underground investigations.The list is not in any order-it only indicates the richest artistes in that country.Bebe CoolThe singer owns a full set sound system (PA) inclusive of a band, lighting and loud speakers that can serve an audience of 20,000 people. He owns land in Kiwatule and he is building four apartments in Kiwatule, each with three bedrooms.He drives a hummer which on buying (two and half years ago) was valued at USD 40,000 (about Sh100 million) inclusive of taxes.  This is in addition to other cars he owns.      Jose ChameleoneHe owns a residential posh flat in Seguku. He drives a Range Rover, Escalade and a BMW, among other cars. The singer recently unveiled the Daniella Villas (apartments) located in Namboole. He is yet to launch his beach called Coco Beach-along Entebbe road.He also owns the Leone Island studio. Chameleone this year unleashed mobile phones branded Chameleone phones. Bobi WineThe self-styled Ghetto Gladiator is living large. He owns Bukoto based Fire Records.Bobi Wine owns a residential house in Magere and also does farming in Gomba.He drives an Escalade, while he bought his wife Barbie a Range Rover. He owns a Land cruiser. Bobi owns One Love beach in Busabala. He also has some shops and rentals in Kamwokya and land in Wandegeya among other things.Recently, he bought a boat which is branded ‘Regal Yacht’. Ragga DeeRagga Dee is a veteran musician and popular businessman. He was the first musician to ever drive a hummer in Uganda.  He owns a beach at Busabala, Limo Life Company; dealing in cars for hire, deals in car importation, and owns a music studio. Ragga Dee also owns a posh house in Makindye.  Mesach SemakulaMesach Semakula is a founding member of Eagles Productions. He owns Kann studio, has several plots of land in Luweero, Kisenyi and Buwaate. He also owns several apartments in Buwaate, Lubowa and Zzana and a big rental flat in Bunamwaya. Mesach is also constructing a flat in Buziga.Ronald Mayinja He is a founding member of Eagles production. Ronald Mayinja owns Roma Hotel, has land in Buziga, two houses in Lukuli Nanganda, Roma Hardware in Kireka and several plots of land. He also owns trucks hired to transport goods.Geoffrey LutaayaGeoffrey Lutaaya is another founding member of Eagles production living a wealthy life. Lutaaya owns a chain of properties, including a lavish home in Munyonyo, Durban Motel along Entebbe, Dance Flo bar/club in Nateete and several plots of land.He is also constructing a hotel along Busabala road in addition to different cars he and he is married to Irene Namatovu, also a musician.Grace NakimeraGrace Nakimera drives a Prado. She owns Pinky Saloons in Kampala. She also owns land in Namugongo, Kisaasi, and Mukono district.Goodlyfe crewGoodlyfe crew (Radio and Weasel) has for the past four years collected several millions from their music. They own several properties including houses in Makindye, and several plots of land on Entebbe road. However, much as Goodlyfe makes the list, it is very hard to know how much Radio and Weasel own alone. Much of the property the group has purchased is under Goodlyfe crew. Hope this partly answers the wealth question.