Musician King Saha, one of Uganda’s most celebrated artists, has urged fellow musicians to actively participate in politics, emphasizing that they experience the same challenges as ordinary Ugandans. Although King Saha, born Mansur Ssemanda, has never contested for an elective position, he remains a strong opposition supporter and a key figure in the National Unity Platform (NUP).
During a recent interview, King Saha stressed the importance of artists using their influence to effect change. “I would encourage many of them to engage in politics because they go through the same struggles as ordinary Ugandans. Artists travel the whole country and understand how terrible the situation is; they should come out and represent their people for the better,” he explained.
Despite not running for office, King Saha has been a vocal critic of the ruling government and a staunch supporter of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), the leader of NUP. His activism was particularly notable during the 2021 general elections, where he actively campaigned for Bobi Wine and called out injustices faced by Ugandans under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
In 2022, King Saha famously clashed with Bebe Cool, a known supporter of President Yoweri Museveni, during the Uganda Musicians Association (UMA) elections. The two artists publicly exchanged words, with King Saha accusing Bebe Cool of being a government puppet who had abandoned the struggles of ordinary Ugandans.
King Saha’s call for artists to join politics aligns with a growing trend where musicians are becoming key figures in Uganda’s political discourse. Several musicians, including Bobi Wine, Jose Chameleone, and Alien Skin, have either contested for political positions or used their platforms to advocate for political change.
His statement, however, was clear—he will only support artists who align with the opposition. He emphasized that he would reject any musician who joins politics through the NRM, stating that the ruling party has failed to address the concerns of Ugandans.
As 2026 elections approach, King Saha’s words could inspire more artists to enter the political space, further intertwining Uganda’s entertainment industry with the nation’s governance.