Unmasking 'System Volongoto' by Eddy Kenzo

In the video's storyline, Kenzo references a failed company with an irresponsible and arrogant boss who does not heed the advice of his employees. Eventually, the employees get fed up and leave. Behind this storyline is a political statement. 

'System Volongoto', which will likely be adopted by protesters when they next march along the streets of Kampala, launches a searing attack on the government, as the singer uses parables to paint a picture of a paralysed and fraudulent government whose corruption has reached eye-watering levels. 

The singer goes on to sing about Uganda being a place where children are starving, yet nobody seems to care. He also highlights the plight of Ugandans who are not seeing any wage growth.

President Yoweri Museveni's regime has had a long history of undermining civil liberties and human rights by silencing and brutalising those who dare to question government excesses.

'System Volongoto' also takes a swing at the Ugandan police for their heavy-handed response to mostly-peaceful opposition protests in the excuse of maintaining 'public order'. Kenzo says those who try to speak up against the chairman are beaten up.

'System Volongoto' comes several months after 'Mbakooye', which also carried a similar theme. Kenzo may not take his activism to the streets like fellow musician Bobi Wine, but through 'System Volongoto', he has said what needs to be said, and no doubt touched a raw nerve. 

Recently, during an interview with Music In Africa, Bobi Wine challenged fellow musicians to be more socially responsible. "It's important that we speak as one, as it enables us to give a voice to those less heard. Music and poems were used during the Sudan revolution. It is time that we also put to use our protest music," he said.

Today more than ever, we need songs like 'System Volongoto', which addresses the issues we find in our different societies and serves to open up conversations and spur reflection. It is time for more East African musicians to use the various platforms to speak their inner thoughts and ignite a mass uprising in a way that allows them to share the stories of the people through music.