Maurice Kirya Says Hype Is Killing Growth in Ugandan Music

Ugandan music star Maurice Kirya has raised concerns about what he believes is a major issue stunting the growth of the country’s music industry.

Speaking on NBS After 5, Maurice pointed out that while Uganda has plenty of talent, many artistes stop short of reaching their full potential because they mistake hype for real success.

According to him, hype can give artistes a dangerous illusion of achievement.

The way I see the industry, we have a lot of talented artistes that have no class. They have a lot of hype people and yes men around them. In hyping them, they feel they have reached the standard and peak, which limits their ambitions and stunts their growth as artistes.

The “BodaBoda” singer warned that this illusion keeps artistes trapped in a cycle that kills their chances of breaking into the bigger stage.

They go to bars and the drunkards shout because, for them, they are caught in the vibe, but the artiste will think that they have made it. When this happens, the artiste fails to grow or take their art to the international level because the people who hype them and tell them that they have made it are many.

For him, the solution is clear, artistes must ignore the noise, remain humble, and work on their craft rather than chasing fleeting applause.

Maurice Kirya’s bold statement leaves one question hanging in the air: Are Uganda’s artistes aiming high enough, or are they simply falling for the hype?

VIDEO: We have a lot of talented artists without class.- Maurice Kirya #NBSAfter5 pic.twitter.com/RN3r7Q9CIz

— NBS After 5 (@NBSAfter5) September 21, 2025