In a plot twist no one saw coming; except maybe his barber, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has decided that local musician Sadat Mukiibi—better known by his stage name Kalifah Aganaga—should trade his microphone for a seat in Parliament.
Yes, you read that right. The man behind hit songs like Oyitangayo is now the party’s official flag bearer in the upcoming Kawempe North MP by-election.
The announcement was made on Wednesday at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, where party President Patrick Amuriat Oboi proudly presented their newest recruit.
“We need young and energetic leaders,” he declared, while Aganaga nodded enthusiastically, possibly wondering if he should drop a campaign anthem right there.
With the race set for March 13, Aganaga wasted no time rallying support from his fellow musicians:
“Dear artistes, the laws that govern us are made in Parliament. If we want to push for a copyright law, we need more musicians in Parliament!” he declared.
“Imagine a Parliament where musicians are debating instead of politicians! We’d have freestyle battles instead of boring speeches!”
Meanwhile, the other political parties were busy scrambling for their own candidates.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) is holding a grand debate to decide which of its 10 hopefuls will carry the party flag.
That’s right—10 people! The competition is so stiff that even candidates have started campaigning against each other like reality show contestants.
Rumor has it one of them even promised to drop a diss track if he doesn’t win.
On the ruling party’s side, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has fronted Ms. Faridah Nambi, a choice that raised eyebrows in Kawempe, given the constituency’s long-standing history as an opposition stronghold.
Meanwhile, other parties are still trying to figure out who to send into battle, possibly because they’re still processing the idea of Aganaga as an MP.
Political analysts are now debating whether Uganda’s Parliament is about to get its first hit song, whether campaign rallies will feature backup dancers, and most importantly—who will ghostwrite Aganaga’s victory speech?
One thing is for sure: If he wins, we’re getting a new national anthem… and it’s going to be a banger.
