With a history of fighting pandemics using music and dance behind it, Uganda’s opposition politician who is also a pop artist and well loved musical icon, Bobbie Wine has taken to music in spreading the message of social distancing and strict hygiene protocols observation in a bid to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.

With a common enemy to fight, the Ugandan government led by it’s veteran leader Yoweri Museveniy seems amenable to allowing Bobbie Wine’s music to play on the airwaves in the East African country.

But at political rallies in the recent past, Bobbie Wine would be at the brutal end of rough handling, intimidation and violence, all in a bid to truncate his political ambition.


The use of music to spread a message became more popular as a genre in Uganda when pop music artist, Philly Bongoley Lutaaya (19 October 1951 – 15 December 1989) became the first Ugandan musician to be diagnosed of HIV/AIDS. He threw shame and stigma aside, and as a prominent Ugandan citizen, he gave the infection, a human face.

This has therefore become a Ugandan tradition. The population of the country is youthful. Therefore pop music appeals. Not many people in the country have enough electricity to power television sets. The use of music is therefore a good medium to spread the message of social distancing and cleanliness, as Bobbie Wine is currently doing.