Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere has praised Ugandan Kadongo Kamu singer Sir Mathias Walukagga for using music to educate the public, singling out his song Nakalembe for its message about HIV/AIDS awareness.
The Archbishop of Kampala made the remarks while marking 119 years of Katende Parish, where he highlighted Walukagga’s storytelling ability and the song’s potential to encourage conversations about HIV prevention and responsible sexual behaviour.
During his address, Ssemogerere described Walukagga as a talented musician whose lyrics carry an educational message beyond entertainment.
“He has a song about HIV/AIDS titled Nakalembe. The song has lyrics and a message that are very educative and sensitise the nation,” the Archbishop said.
The song follows a man who becomes attracted to a beautiful, financially stable woman he nicknames Nakalembe. He attempts to win her over with sweet talk and clever wordplay, but she initially shows little interest in his advances.
Eventually, she agrees to meet him. The encounter takes a serious turn when Nakalembe reveals that she is living with HIV, reportedly showing him her test results and explaining that she did not want to put his health at risk.
Through that storyline, Walukagga presents a personal encounter that introduces listeners to questions about disclosure, sexual health and the importance of making informed decisions.
Ssemogerere used the song as an opportunity to address HIV prevention, urging people living with the virus to take steps to protect others while encouraging young people to practise safer sex.
“Those who are positive, please don’t infect others. Don’t spread the virus to the whole village, and the youth should practise good standards of playing safe and living a healthy life,” he said.
The remarks placed public health education at the centre of the parish anniversary celebration, with the Archbishop pointing to music as a way of communicating serious issues through stories that audiences can understand.
Walukagga is known for Kadongo Kamu, a Ugandan musical tradition in which narrative lyrics often explore social experiences and everyday challenges. Nakalembe follows that storytelling approach by using a relationship scenario to introduce an important public health subject.
The Archbishop also referred to Walukagga’s political fortunes, noting that the singer had not been elected in the previous election. However, his comments on Nakalembe focused on the musician’s ability to use his craft to sensitise the public.
The recognition underscores the potential for popular music to carry messages beyond the stage, particularly when artists use relatable characters and everyday situations to address issues affecting communities.