Pinky Says Mindset Shift Is Key for Ugandan Music to Go Global
For Rahmah Pinky, breaking into the international scene starts with changing how she approaches her music.
The singer says her earlier songs limited her reach because she focused mainly on a local audience.
I feel like with my old music, I have been concentrating so much on people back home.
That realization has started to shape her next moves, pushing her to think beyond Uganda.
She is now incorporating more English into her music and working closely with Shena Skies as she targets a broader audience.
We sing so much in Luganda, but at the same time there is potential in me that than actually sing a song that is not in Luganda, and the world gets to enjoy it, including my home people, back home.
Her personal experience reflects a wider issue she sees in Uganda’s music space.
While appearing on NBS KURT, Pinky said the industry has the talent but needs to think bigger.
In East Africa, Uganda is doing well. Ugandans just need to believe in us, and also we need to get out of our comfort zone.
After visiting Nairobi, she said the gap between Uganda and other markets is not about quality, but about how far artistes are willing to push themselves.
Uganda has talent. I was in Kenya in February, and I looked at their industry and the way they do things, and I was like, yo, Uganda is too far. We just need to elevate ourselves, and I think people in our country need to actually believe in us. But in East Africa, Uganda is doing well.
She pointed to Rwanda as an example, saying their drive to grow stands out, even if she still believes Uganda is ahead.
I feel like right now we are ahead of them. I think maybe we lack the intention. We are too comfortable, while they are pushing to do better. If we also get out of our comfort zone, they have nothing on us.
VIDEO: "In East Africa, Uganda is doing well, Ugandans just need to believe in us, and also we need to get out of our comfort zone."
Pinky shares her piece of mind regarding why Uganda is not going international#NBSUpdates #NBSKurt pic.twitter.com/8oeCajq1Am— NBS Television (@nbstv) May 2, 2026
