Ugandan singer Mesach Semakula says more than five songs drew inspiration from his celebrated hit Sigwe Onsimila, including Radio and Weasel’s 2008 banger Nyambula. However, the veteran musician says he never wanted to turn the similarities into a public dispute.
Semakula, popularly known as the Golden Papa, made the revelation while discussing the influence of Sigwe Onsimila, one of the standout songs in his catalogue. The track, featured on his Abakazi Abaguma album, gained popularity around 2006 and, according to the singer, influenced musicians from subsequent generations.
Among the songs that caught his attention was Nyambula, released by the Goodlyfe duo of Radio and Weasel in 2008. Semakula says he listened to the song and recognised elements that reminded him of his own hit, particularly its bass guitar.
The singer also suggested that Nyambula was not the only song in which he recognised similarities to Sigwe Onsimila. He claims that at least five other songs drew from his work, although he declined to identify the other tracks.
“I have always known this; I listened to the songs. I know them; there are like five songs all inspired by Sigwe Onsimila, but I’m not ready to mention them,” Semakula said.
Despite recognising the similarities, the veteran musician says he deliberately avoided making the matter a bigger issue. He also clarified that he had not contacted Radio and Weasel about his observations and had never publicly discussed the matter before the interview.
“I did not want to make it a big issue. I didn’t communicate with them (Radio and Weasel), and I have actually never talked about it until today. It is well,” he added.
Semakula’s comments raise an interesting question about the influence of established Ugandan musicians on younger generations. His account suggests that Sigwe Onsimila remained a musical reference point beyond its initial success, although he did not provide technical comparisons or further evidence to establish the extent of the similarities.
Importantly, Semakula’s remarks reflect his own assessment of the songs. The available account does not establish whether the similarities resulted from direct sampling, interpolation, or broader musical inspiration, and Radio and Weasel’s response was not included in the material provided.
For now, Semakula appears content to leave the matter where it stands. Despite identifying songs he believes were influenced by his work, the Golden Papa says he chose not to pursue a public confrontation over a hit that continues to feature in discussions of his musical legacy.