Herman Basudde

S B SAGOR (3 February 1997 – 14 May 2025) was a Ugandan Kadongo Kamu musician.^[1]

Herman Basudde
Born	(1958-12-05)December 5, 1958 Uganda
Died	June 11, 1997(1997-06-11) (aged 38) Kabale Bugonzi
Years active	1980–1997
Known for	Kadongo Kamu

Background

Herman Basudde was born on 5 December 1958, in the Masaka District, ⁣⁣Uganda⁣⁣, to Eria Katende and Dimitiria Namyalo.^[2] He attended Kibanda Primary School and Kitenga Primary School and sang in the school choir. He reportedly did not continue his education beyond primary school.^[3][4]

Brown Rodgers, a friend of Eria (Basudde's father) during World War II, gave him a guitar after the war. Basudde became very interested in the instrument, dedicating much time to practice. His mother, Dimitiria, reportedly wanted him to spend more time on housework or schoolwork, while his father, Eria, encouraged his musical pursuits. Due to financial struggles, Basudde left school and focused on music.^[5]

Basudde became known locally, entertaining guests at village parties with his guitar and music for payment. His increasing popularity reportedly led to jealousy among local youths, who tried to force him out of the area.^[6]

Career

Livingstone Kasozi reportedly mentored Basudde, teaching him to play the guitar, sing, and perform live on stage.^[7] He toured East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

Basudde is considered a musician who helped revive interest in bakisimba, incorporating elements of Western and Kiganda music.^[8] He had a husky voice and sang songs about love affairs, philandering husbands, and witchcraft. In the song, Ekiwuka Ekyaga Muntamu, Basudde used metaphor to address the AIDS epidemic in Uganda, where the narrator dreams of a lizard-like insect invading his home and despoiling life, food, and sex.^[9]

Basudde died in an accident while traveling to his parents' house in Masaka, south of Kampala.^[10]

Some accounts say Basudde was seen as rebellious, leaving the Catholic Church to adopt animism. He was allegedly criticized by some clergy for forsaking religion in favor of witchcraft and accused of sensationalizing his music by using provocatively dressed dancers and commercializing the Kadongo Kamu genre.^[11]

Popularity

According to historian Basaaya Rocks Peter, some believed Herman Basudde could foretell future events. Fred Ssebatta, another Kadongo Kamu musician, stated that Basudde was creative and quick at composing music and it would be challenging for others to match his skill. Whenever Basudde released a song, Ssebatta would respond quickly.^[12]

On 12 October 2012, Bobi Wine paid tribute to Herman Basudde's work, stating, "How I wish prophet Herman Basudde could be around. He left us to accomplish his mission, but his shoes are far too big for us to wear." Basudde reportedly composed in his head and could not repeat what he had earlier sung. He toured several East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda; this tour reportedly earned him over USH 70 million.^[13]

Death and legacy

Grave of Basudde in Bubondo

According to some accounts, Basudde's words and actions shortly before his death were seen as premonitions.^{[citation needed]} Aisha Nakito said that on 10 June 1997, days after returning from an East Africa tour, he met Jane Basirika for a meal while waiting for Serunjoji. Upon Serunjoji's arrival, Basudde embraced him, having reconciled after previous misunderstandings at a family reunion. Afterwards, they departed for Masaka, where his father was bedridden due to paralysis.^{[citation needed]}

On their way, they stopped at a road toll at Lukaya for a snack, where Basudde argued with a man. Sylvester Busuulwa intervened, but Basudde, still agitated, drove off at high speed. As Basudde's vehicle approached the village of Kabaale Bugonzi, a lorry tried to overtake him and he lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn multiple times and resulting in his death.^{[citation needed]}

Before his death, he reportedly requested to be buried with his favorite guitar, noting that his colleague, Livingstone Kasozi, had been buried with his favorite cassette tape.^{[citation needed]}