Singer Eddy Kenzo has called for greater appreciation of veteran musicians Dr. Jose Chameleone and Sir Mesach Semakula, saying artists should be recognised and celebrated while they are still alive.
Speaking in an interview with Brayzmedia, Kenzo explained that his recent social media tributes to the two music giants are part of his effort to give them their flowers and acknowledge their contribution to Uganda’s entertainment industry.
Kenzo said he believes some individuals are attempting to undermine established musicians, making it important for artists to recognise each other instead of feeding what he described as negative energy within the industry.
“Appreciating others does not take anything from you. I am unique and every other big musician is unique, so it is better to always appreciate each other and stop the bad energy and bad news in the industry,” Kenzo said.
His comments come after he publicly praised Chameleone for his contribution to the growth and regional reach of Ugandan music. Kenzo described Chameleone as part of a generation that gave local music confidence and helped open opportunities for musicians who came after him.
Kenzo has also recently celebrated Mesach Semakula, highlighting his decades-long career, mentorship and contribution to Uganda’s band-music tradition. The tribute comes ahead of Semakula’s planned 50 Years of Greatness concert at Kingdom Kampala on November 13, 2026.
For Kenzo, appreciating the pioneers is not about diminishing younger musicians or creating competition over who is more successful. Instead, he believes every major artist has a unique contribution to the industry and deserves recognition for it.
As President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), Kenzo has increasingly used his public platform to speak about the development and unity of Uganda’s creative sector.
