Showbiz | Meet Uganda's top 20 richest artistes

Kampala

Over the last 14 years or so, Ugandan music has evolved both in style and general societal perception. A profession that was once despised by all and sundry has since turned many into success stories and role models.

We've carried a research on these, and today we profile some of the top 20 richest musicians in Uganda. They have accumulated lots of wealth ranging from recreational establishments, beaches, music studios, rentals, plush homes, expensive cars as well as music that their generation will continue to benefit from, long after they are gone. This investigation was carried out in collaboration with different sources and various media channels like HiPipo and URA.

It's quite unfortunate that some musicians never disclose their other sources of income. For some, part of their wealth was inherited, while others come from wealthy families. But there are artistes whose wealth is purely a result of hard work. Bobi Wine says while music may not be as lucrative, it is still enough to make one rich if they make proper investments.

Bobi Wine poses in his yacht. 

Bobi Wine: A plus residential house in Magere that sits on over 10 acres, One love beach at Busaabala, 3 luxury boats (including his most recently acquired Regal Speed boat which he claims to have bought at 450M UGX), Undeveloped land in Kamwokya and Wandegeya, rentals in Kamwokya and Semakookiro plaza (Kamwokya). 

He is also the owner of Firebase Crew, a musical group, several trucks, a pine forest farm in Gomba and several cars including but not limited to: Cadillac Escalade, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Tundra, Range Rover and others. His estimated total net worth is about 3 Billion UGX.  

Geoffrey Lutaaya: He owns Durban hotel in Najjanankumbi and a plush residential house in Munyonyo worth over 400M UGX. He is also constructing another hotel on Busaabala road, and also owns Dance Flo Club in Nateete. Lutaaya also has several undeveloped plots of land in various parts of the city and a fleet of commuter taxis. His estimated net worth is over 2 Billion UGX.

Geoffrey Lutaaya's Durban hotel Najjanankumbi

Ronald Mayinja: He owns Roma Motel in Bunnamwaya, and is also constructing another hotel nearby. Mayinja owns 2 houses in Nanganda Lukuli, Roma hardware in Kireka, commercial trucks, undeveloped plots of land in Buziga and several city suburbs. He is estimated to be worth about 2 billion UGX.

Ronald Mayinja's Roma Motel in Bunamwaya

Jose Chameleone: He owns Coco beach in Entebbe,a posh residential house in Seguku, Leone Island Music group and a modern music studio. He also has several posh cars including but not limited to: Cadillac Escalade, Nissan El-grand, 3 BMWs and several others. Chameleone also has several undeveloped plots of land in Bwebajja, Garuga and rentals in Kawempe among others. His net worth is also estimated at over 2.5 billion UGX. 

Jose Chameleon's Cadillac Escalade

Chameleone's home in Seguku

Mesach Ssemakula: He owns a storied propert in Buziga estimated to be worth hundreds of millions. He owns chunks of land in Kisenyi and Buwaate, as well as rental houses in Buwaate. He also owns a 16-unit rental flat in Bunnamwaya, 6 rental houses in Zzana, Khan music studio in Makindye, several acres of land in Luweero as well as several undeveloped plots of land in various city suburbs. 

Mesach also owns several other undisclosed properties and is believed to be the richest musician in Uganda. His net worth is estimated to be close to 4 Billion UGX. 

Messach Semakula's Kann Records music studio in Makindye

One of Mesach's rental properties in Zzana

Bebe Cool:  He owns land in Kiwatule on which he is constructing a 6-unit rental flat, several posh cars as well as Gagamel Crew - a music band.

Bebe Cool's Hummer

Bebe Cool's rental units under construction in Kiwatule.

Raga Dee: He is a dealer in luxury cars and is also into real estate brokerage. Ragga Dee owns several rentals in Makindye, Kizungu zone, a beach at Busaabala and is the proprietor of Limo life, a car hire company. Estimateed net worth: 2 Billion UGX. 

Ragga Dee in his studio. 

Ragga Dee's beach in Busaabala

Haruna Mubiru: Kalina A storied 6-unit rental in Kabowa, plus several detached rentals in the the same area. He is also the owner of Kream production (music band) as well as music equipment for hire and several posh cars.

Haruna Mubiru's property in Kabowa

Sophie Nantongo:  A Sophie owns several rentals near Kibuye roundabout, undeveloped land in Makindye (inherited from her father) and Kisaasi as well as a storied residential house in Kansanga.

Irene Namubiru:  Irene owns a residential house Kitala on Entebbe road, a rental house in Muyenga as well as  a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado.

Grace Nakimera: A 17-acre piece of land in Mukono, several rentals in Kisaasi, Kulambiro and Namugongo. She also owns a couple of posh cars.

Mariam Ndagire:  A She owns residential property in Nakawuka, land in Wakiso (where she is constructing a film acting and music school), An acting studio at Bat Valley, a music studio (Trendz studio), Trendz band and also does lucrative drama series that fetch her some good returns. She also owns several posh cars and other undisclosed valuable property.

Silver Kyagulanyi: He owns a music studio, a posh residential house in Kyanja, land as well several luxury cars. 

Goodlyfe (Radio & Weasel): A residential flat in Kizungu, Makindye, several undeveloped plots of land in Entebbe and Najjanankumbi as well several luxury cars.

Angela Kalule: Undeveloped land on Entebbe road, Kangie Hotel, Kangie Bar, Kangie Band and Kangie Internet Cafe, all on Kampala road. She also does poultry farming in Luweero and several other undisclosed property.

Mathias Walukagga:  Residential property at Maya (Masaka road), several rentals, several posh cars as well as Vision Heroes (music group).

Maureen Nantume: She is into event management with her own company - Momo Events, several rental houses and a personal car.

Others include Catherine Kusaasira (Owns rental units in Salaama), Dr. Hilderman, Juliana Kanyomozi and Angela Katatumba (though it's difficult to tell her property from her father's).

A big chunk of this article originally appeared in an article in the Luganda newspaper - Bukedde -  in 2014 by Josephat Seguya