The new faces of Ugandan music: The top 5

Uganda’s music scene is vibrant and innovative; every five years or so, the industry undergoes a reboot, ushering in fresh talent that challenges the veterans.

In 2025, a new generation of artists is rising to prominence, targeting both local and global audiences.

Here are the top 5;

1. Elijah Kitaka

Signed to Swangz Avenue, Elijah Kitaka is a songwriter and performer. His 2023 album Bedroom Essentials, featuring hits like “Ndi Wuwo,” “Tutu Mama” (with Vinka), and “Kontrol,” made him known.

Tracks like “Ekyange” and “Dawa” have dominated the playlists in 2025, with “Good Idea” (a collaboration with Dax Vibez) hitting number one on Songboost’s Top 100 Songs.

2. Dax Vibez

Dax Vibez is another rising star who’s making a name for himself. His collaboration with Elijah Kitaka on “Good Idea” has topped charts this year.

As Kapeke noted in a recent interview, Dax Vibez is “performing really well,” standing out for his creativity and consistency.

3. Ava Peace

Ava Peace is leading the female artists this year, at least arguably. Her 2025 hits “Wanula Rmx” (with Temperature Touch) and “Tabbu” (with Dax Vibez) have been bangers.

4. Kapeke

Derrick Nsubuga, better known as Kapeke, is another ghetto product. Hits like “Shuu” and “Polokoto” have become anthems. In 2025, in an article published by us, Kapeke praised the younger generation for steering the industry in the right direction, citing himself among the top artists alongside Ava Peace, Dax Vibez, and Elijah Kitaka.

5. Joshua Baraka

Joshua Baraka whose breakout hits were “Nana” and “Tomorrow” is leading the new generation. He targets the foreign audience mostly and has been successful with that. He’s now considered the second artist apart from Eddy Kenzo to perform on big stages outside of Uganda, with the most recent one being Afronation 2025 in Portugal