Iryn Namubiru : Uganda’s Music Lost Its Essence And Direction

Renowned songstress Iryn Namubiru has voiced her frustration over the current state of the music industry, arguing that it has lost its essence and direction.

Namubiru, one of Uganda’s most celebrated female vocalists, reflected on how the industry has shifted from valuing talent to favouring popularity and social media influence. She says that today’s fans are more focused on who is trending rather than who is truly gifted.

“The music industry isn’t about who is more talented anymore—it’s all about who is trending. It has become a popularity contest, and too many real artists are being overlooked simply because their follower count doesn’t match their talent,” she lamented.

Her statement struck a chord with fellow artists, many of whom flooded the comment section in agreement, sharing similar frustrations about the challenges of staying relevant in an industry driven by social media clout rather than musical ability.

With this growing concern among industry veterans, it remains to be seen whether the music scene will ever return to prioritizing talent over trends.