BUIKWE – Bobi Wineon weekend paid tribute to the late artist Paul Job Kafeero in Nkokonjeru, Buikwe District, reflecting on Kafeero’s multifaceted impact.
“After Church, we proceeded to Nkokonjeru, Buikwe District where we paid homage to one of the most respected artistes of our times, Paul Job Kafeero,” he posted on his X account.
“Kafeero was more than an artiste. Sometimes he sounded like a philosopher; some other times as a prophet and yet other times as a poet. We prayed for his soul to continue resting in peace, and for his beautiful memory and legacy to live on for generations,” Bobi Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi added.
Bobi Wine was in company of his singing partner Nubian Li, NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongooya, and Eddie Mutwe, their body guard.
Kafeero had a notable career as a musician and songwriter, leaving a lasting impact on Uganda’s music scene. His musical journey began in the 1990s, where he gained recognition for his distinctive style and powerful vocal abilities.
Kafeero primarily focused on the genre of Kadongo Kamu, which is traditional folk music in Uganda.
His songs featured emotionally charged lyrics that addressed various themes such as love, social issues, and cultural identity. His music resonated with audiences across the country, contributing to his popularity and prominence in Ugandan music.
One of Kafeero’s notable songs, Dippo Nazigala played a significant role in his breakthrough and established him as a prominent figure in Uganda’s music industry. The song’s success showcased Kafeero’s talent and contributed to his overall career trajectory.
Throughout his career, Kafeero released multiple albums and singles that garnered both critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. His songs often addressed social and political issues, offering a platform for expressing the experiences and aspirations of Ugandans. Kafeero’s performances were known for their high energy and passionate delivery, captivating audiences during his live shows.
Kafeero died on May 17, 2007, at the age of 36 due to complications from kidney failure. His untimely death was a significant loss to Uganda’s music industry, and he is remembered as a talented musician and songwriter who made a lasting impact.
Kafeero began school at Nkokonjjeru Demonstration Primary School in 1977, and went on to Ngogwe Baskerville secondary school.
In the same year, he began school, his father left the family because of his mother’s opposition to his interest in music, he went to stay in the nearby village of Masaba with his older sister Grace and her husband. Grace’s husband intermittently paid his school fees after his father’s abandonment. With no secure source of school fees, Kafeero did not finish secondary school.
He earned money by making bricks, cultivating beans, selling used clothes, and tailoring. Kafeero’s father gave no further support and had no contact with his son until he became famous.
Kafeero formed a drama group, Kabuladda Drama Actors, which he later dissolved to start a musical group, Kulabako Guitar Singers
Kafeero was the first Ugandan to win a gold medal as a lead vocalist in 1994, when Institut de Recherche en Etudes Théâtrales, a French body specialising in country music, declared him winner out of 6,000 contestants from Africa.
The honour came courtesy of his song “Walumbe Zaaya, a 15-minute track where no single word is repeated.
