Veteran ghetto artist Buchaman is getting candid about what he calls “betrayal and abandonment” from artists he helped rise to fame — especially Eddy Kenzo, the Big Talent Entertainment boss who has since become one of Uganda’s most successful music exports.
In an emotional revelation, the former Firebase Crew vice president shared that he feels forgotten and unappreciated, despite playing a key role in the early careers of several top artists in Uganda’s music industry.
“I Helped Build Them — Now They’re All Above Me”
Speaking passionately in a recent interview, Buchaman said he feels let down by many of the same people he once supported during their come-up — particularly Kenzo, who once leaned on Firebase Crew for support before breaking out with the hit Yanimba featuring Mikie Wine, the brother of Bobi Wine.
“The people I had left behind are now all above me,” Buchaman lamented.
“Right now Nubian Li is poised to become Mayor, yet I am the one who brought him into Firebase. They still think I am friends with Bobi Wine, yet we separated long ago and he’s doing his things.”
The singer, who once held one of the highest positions in Firebase Crew under Bobi Wine, added that his current struggles make it hard for him to inspire or help others in the ghetto the way he once did.
“Me who used to be the vice president of Firebase, I have nothing,” he admitted.
“How am I going to change the lives of ghetto people without changing mine first?”
Feeling Abandoned — Both by the Industry and Government
Beyond his disappointment in fellow artists, Buchaman also opened up about feeling neglected by the government, despite holding an official title as Presidential Adviser on Ghetto Matters and Affairs.
He revealed that he hasn’t met with President Yoweri Museveni in a long time and that several promises made to him remain unfulfilled — leaving him feeling stranded in a role that was once meant to empower him to uplift ghetto communities.
“I pleaded to the President to increase my salary from Shs 2 million and also give me a car, and the President told me I’m doing God’s work,” Buchaman said, clearly frustrated.
According to the musician, his contract with the government was signed for five years and is set to expire next year, but he’s not sure whether it will be renewed — or if he even wants it renewed under the same conditions.
“If Things Don’t Change, I Might Switch to the Opposition”
In a surprising twist, Buchaman hinted that if his situation remains unchanged, he could consider joining the opposition — a move that would be politically explosive given his current role in President Museveni’s administration.
He said that the lack of communication and broken promises from the government have left him questioning his loyalty and wondering whether his contributions have been valued at all.
“I haven’t met the President in a long time,” he shared. “I feel neglected, and the promises made to me have not been fulfilled.”
The once high-ranking Firebase figure believes that the only way forward is to speak directly to the President, and he’s calling on two major artists — Eddy Kenzo and Bebe Cool — to help him make that happen.
From Firebase Royalty to Political Struggles
Buchaman’s rise from the ghetto streets to national politics was once celebrated as a symbol of hope for Uganda’s marginalized youth. As a key figure in Bobi Wine’s Firebase Crew, he was known for his deep connection to ghetto life and his outspoken personality that resonated with the underprivileged.
However, after parting ways with Bobi Wine years ago and aligning himself with President Museveni’s government, Buchaman’s public image shifted dramatically. Many former fans accused him of “selling out,” while others saw him as trying to make real change from within.
Now, as he faces what he describes as loneliness and disappointment, Buchaman’s story highlights the complex realities of fame, loyalty, and survival in Uganda’s entertainment and political scene.
Fans React: “Buchaman Deserves Better”
Following his emotional remarks, social media quickly lit up with mixed reactions. Some fans sympathized with his situation, saying he deserved more recognition for the role he played in shaping Uganda’s urban music movement.
“Buchaman helped raise so many artists. It’s sad to see him struggle,” one user commented on Facebook.
“This industry forgets fast — today you’re a star, tomorrow you’re old news,” another added on X (formerly Twitter).
Others, however, were more critical, suggesting that aligning with politics may have contributed to his current challenges.
“He chose that side,” one comment read. “He can’t blame people for moving on.”
A Cry for Recognition and Redemption
Whether or not his appeal to Kenzo and Bebe Cool reaches the President, Buchaman’s message is clear — he wants to be seen, heard, and remembered for his contributions both to the music industry and to the ghetto community that raised him.
His story is a stark reminder of how fragile fame can be, and how quickly the spotlight fades when the music stops.
Still, even amid frustration, Buchaman’s tone carried a glimmer of hope — a desire for change, recognition, and redemption.
“I just want to be able to change the lives of ghetto people again,” he said. “But first, I need to change mine.”
What do you think about Buchaman’s heartfelt plea and his call-out to Eddy Kenzo? Should Kenzo and Bebe Cool step in to help him reconnect with the President? Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned for more exclusive stories on Entertainment Page One!
