Ugandan Kadongo Kamu singer Sir Mathias Walukagga has confirmed a long-discussed part of his early career, revealing that he once worked as an errand boy and house help for the late music legend Paul Job Kafeero.
Walukagga says the experience happened in 1996, shortly after he entered the music industry, and became a major chapter in his journey as an aspiring musician.
The singer explained that his time at Kafeero’s home in Maganjo gave him an opportunity to learn, observe, and grow while being close to an artist he deeply admired.
Sir Mathias Walukagga has opened up about the early days of his music career, revealing that he served as Paul Job Kafeero’s house help during the late 1990s.
Speaking during a phone interview, Walukagga confirmed that the experience took place in 1996, at a time when he was still trying to establish himself in the entertainment industry.
“Yes, I was his house help in 1996. That’s when I had just joined the music industry,” Walukagga said.
The singer explained that his journey to Kafeero’s home was unexpected.
He had initially gone to work with fellow musician Livingstone Kasozi, but everything changed when Kafeero — an artist he admired greatly — arrived.
“I had gone to join Livingstone Kasozi, then Kafeero came through. Since he was the musician I admired most, it was a coincidence that we met,” he explained.
According to Walukagga, their relationship developed after Kafeero noticed his musical ability during a performance at Nakivubo Stadium.
Walukagga said he provided backing vocals during the show, and Kafeero was impressed enough to invite him to his home in Maganjo.
“When I backed him during a performance at Nakivubo Stadium, he liked me and took me along with him,” he recalled.
The singer described the invitation as a dream come true, saying he later lived at Kafeero’s home alongside fellow musicians Bisirikirwa and Hillary Kisanja.
“It was a dream come true when he welcomed me to his home in Maganjo, where I lived with Bisirikirwa and Hillary Kisanja,” Walukagga said.
However, Walukagga was careful to separate his role as an assistant from knowledge of Kafeero’s private life.
He explained that while he was close to the musician’s home environment, he does not want to claim he knew details about Kafeero’s relationships or marriages.
“I was his errand boy, but I don’t want to claim that I knew anything about his wives,” he said.
Paul Job Kafeero remains one of the most influential figures in Uganda’s Kadongo Kamu music genre.
Known for his storytelling style and powerful lyrical compositions, Kafeero built a lasting legacy before his death in 2007.
Sir Mathias Walukagga later established himself as a respected musician in his own right, becoming one of the notable voices in Uganda’s traditional music scene.
For many artists, early opportunities to work alongside established musicians often become important learning experiences that shape their careers.
Walukagga’s story highlights the behind-the-scenes relationships that often influence the growth of performers before they become household names.
The revelation provides a glimpse into the early struggles and experiences behind one of Uganda’s recognized musicians.
Many successful entertainers begin their journeys by supporting established artists, learning the industry, and gaining exposure before building their own identities.
Walukagga’s experience also reflects the lasting influence Kafeero had on younger musicians who passed through his circle.
Before becoming a respected performer, Walukagga was a young musician searching for an opportunity.
His time at Kafeero’s home represented more than a job — it placed him close to an artist he admired and gave him a chance to develop during the early stages of his career.
The story serves as a reminder that many music journeys begin away from the spotlight, through dedication, learning, and unexpected opportunities.
Sir Mathias Walukagga’s memories of working with Paul Job Kafeero reveal a lesser-known chapter of Uganda’s music history — one where a young aspiring artist found himself learning from one of Kadongo Kamu’s greatest names.