Veteran Ugandan musician Kid Fox has found himself at the centre of a growing entertainment industry row after remarks about fellow musician-turned-politician Bobi Wine triggered a wave of criticism from artists and fans.
Kid Fox, who recently returned to Uganda after spending about 14 years in the diaspora, has been seeking to re-establish himself on the local music scene. But his comeback has been overshadowed by a series of controversial comments, including a claim that he did not know who Bobi Wine was.
The remarks quickly spread across social media, with several musicians affiliated with the National Unity Platform (NUP) taking issue with what they described as disrespect towards one of Uganda’s most influential musicians.
In interviews with local media, Kid Fox questioned why he was repeatedly compared with Bobi Wine, arguing that the two are different artists who have followed separate paths.
He also said he had been largely out of touch with Uganda’s contemporary music scene, claiming that he did not know artists such as King Saha and Micki Wine.
However, the controversy took another turn when Kid Fox later admitted that his claim about not knowing Bobi Wine was not entirely truthful.
The veteran musician said he had deliberately made the statement to attract public attention and generate publicity for his return to music.
That admission did little to calm the backlash. Instead, it prompted some musicians to accuse him of using controversy and established industry names to generate publicity.
King Saha: “He is picking fights”
Singer King Saha has been among the most vocal critics of Kid Fox.
During a TikTok live session, King Saha reportedly questioned whether Kid Fox could successfully revive his music career through controversy, accusing the returning musician of picking fights and making provocative remarks about Bobi Wine to attract attention.
Kid Fox has also declined a proposed collaboration with King Saha, citing differences in their musical styles.
Weasel Manizo calls for respect
Goodlyfe singer Weasel Manizo also weighed into the debate, warning Kid Fox against attacking Bobi Wine and other established figures in the Ugandan music industry.
Weasel argued that Bobi Wine occupies a significant place in Uganda’s cultural and musical history, and that political disagreements should not erase his contribution to the entertainment industry.
Chameleone: Focus on music
Veteran singer Dr Jose Chameleone has similarly criticised Kid Fox, accusing him of seeking attention through controversy.
Chameleone advised the returning artist to concentrate on rebuilding his musical career rather than engaging established industry figures.
He also urged Kid Fox to recognise the contribution made by musicians who continued developing Uganda’s entertainment industry during his years away from the country.
The dispute has attracted comments from several other musicians, including Kabaaya, Vyper Ranking and Dr Bitone, among others.
Kabaaya said he had not forgotten Kid Fox’s earlier remarks and suggested that the returning musician should concentrate on his music if his intention was genuinely to revive his career.
The growing exchange has turned what began as a publicity-driven comeback into one of the more talked-about entertainment stories on Uganda’s social media platforms.
For now, however, Bobi Wine has not publicly responded to the controversy involving Kid Fox.
The silence has left the growing war of words largely between Kid Fox and musicians who have come out to defend Bobi Wine’s legacy.
Whether the controversy will translate into renewed interest in Kid Fox’s music remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: after 14 years away, the veteran musician has returned to a Ugandan music industry that is very different from the one he left, and his comeback has already generated plenty of noise.
