1. Julianna Kanyomozi (Uganda) - Kanyimbe - 4:31
Julianna is a first cousin to young King Oyo of the now-ceremonial Kingdom of Toro in western Uganda: she's a princess in real life. "Kanyimbe", from 2007, is about singing the praises of creation, remaining strong in the face of adversity, and being humble in the use of your talents. Here are a related news article and interview. Listen to a sample from this song.

2. Geoffrey Lutaaya (Uganda) - Ojila Okyamudazza - 6:02
Geoffrey Lutaaya is part of Eagles Production, which is currently the preeminent music house in Uganda, and which competes with the Afrigo Band for being the most popular live performers as well. Here is an acerbic article that compares the two groups. (Geoffrey Lutaaya is not related to the legendary Ugandan songwriter and performer Philly Lutaaya who died of AIDS in 1989.) Listen to a sample of this song.

3. Cathy Kusasira (Uganda) - Abasajja Abakooza - 5:49
Cathy Kusasira is part of Uganda's Eagles Production group - see the notes on Geoffrey Lutaaya above for more information. She began in the late 1990s as a dancer for predecessor bands of the Eagles. She was a featured solo performer when the Eagles first played in London in 2005. Listen.

4. Mesach Semakula (Uganda) - Onsuulirira Nyo - 5:27
Mesach Semakula, like Cathy Kusasira and Geoffrey Lutaaya, is part of Eagles Production; see the notes above. Here's a photo of Mesach with some of the other Eagles. Listen.

5. Iryn Namubiru (Uganda) - Nsonyiwa - 4:11
"Nsonyiwa" means "forgive me, pardon me". Watch this song on YouTube (with unusually good video and audio). Listen to a clip.

6. Dream Galz (Uganda) - Genda Osome - 4:12
Here are photos and information about the Galz. Their long-time talent manager Emma Carlos recently left them, according to the Red Pepper, a popular Ugandan news source. Listen.

7. Ronald Mayinja (Uganda) - Jangu - 5:23
Mayinja was one of the four founding members of Eagles Production; see the notes at the top and bottom under Geoffrey Lutaaya. The "wild, wandering" Mayinja apparently loves to mingle with the crowd when he performs. Listen.

8. Julianna Kanyomozi (Uganda) - Enkwanzi Yange - 4:33
Julianna, now 27 years old, has been nominated for the Pearl of Africa music (PAM) 2008 awards for best female artist and best overall artist. See the notes above for more about her. "Enkwanzi Yange", "my beads", is a folk song from Toro in western Uganda. Listen.

9. Fred Sebatta (Uganda) - Nalwewuba - 4:52
"Lord" Fred Sebatta is a leading proponent of the "Kadongo Kamu" style of Ugandan music, which strives for purity of Lugandan language along with simple melodies and the pulsing beat of Baganda folk songs. The style became popular across Uganda in the 1950s through the legendary Ugandan musician Elly Wamala (father of gospel singer Fiona Mukasa). Sebatta's version of the style blends in Western influences including reggae and hip hop. Listen.

10. Obsessions (Uganda) - Wekuume - 3:51
Read about the Obsessions, or watch the scantily clad Brenda, Hellen, Sharon, Cleo and Jackie sing this 2006 album title song, or listen to a clip.

11. Viva Stars (Uganda) - Koona Endongo - 3:37
The Viva Stars came onto the Kampala music scene in May 2008, launching album Koona Endongo at Sese Beach in Entebbe. Their roots are apparently in Ankole in southwestern Uganda. (Ragga Dee also has a song named "Koon Endongo".) Watch on YouTube. Listen to a sample.

12. Julianna Kanyomozi (Uganda) - Mundeke Mwagale - 3:27
"Mundeke" means "go away, leave me alone". Watch on YouTube - but it's a dull and muddy video, a pity given the excellence of the song. Listen.

13. Geoffrey Lutaaya (Uganda) - Tina - 6:10
See the notes at the top about Lutaaya. It's said that the Eagles Production band, which has more than 30 members, got its name from its early, very tenuous existence, at a time when others in the Kampala music business said that they'd never succeed. According to AllAfrica.com (which requires a subscription to access many of its articles), the group's name comes from a Luganda proverb, "ebikolimo byenkoko tebitta kamunye", "a chicken's curses can't kill an eagle". Listen.