Rachel Magoola Explains Why She Walked Away from Afrigo Band During Its Glory Days

During a recent interview, Rachel Magoola, a celebrated Ugandan singer-songwriter, dancer, and politician, discussed her exit from Afrigo Band at the peak of its success, noting that her ambitions had shifted away from the band’s vision.

“Being in a big band, you are working under someone who has their own vision,” she said.

“Eventually, you reach a point where you feel you have grown as an individual and want to explore new possibilities,” she added.

Rachel clarified that she left the band after 1999, not 1996, as some may have thought.

She made this decision following the release of their hit song Obagaina, which she had originally included in her solo album in 1997.

“In 1999, while in London with the band, we re-recorded Obagaina as Afrigo, and that is the version that gained public success,” she noted.

However, her desire to pursue her own musical path led her to step away.

“I decided to leave and market my music outside of what Afrigo was doing, and I do not regret that decision,” she emphasized.

Rachel pointed out that her departure opened doors to new opportunities, allowing her to connect with organizations she continues to work with today.

She also spoke about releasing an album during the COVID-19 pandemic titled Resilience: Songs of Uganda, which performed very well in Europe, topping global charts.

Despite its success abroad, she acknowledged that the album did not receive the same recognition in Uganda.

“Here, it will never sell because Ugandans are not into their own music; they look to styles and rhythms from Nigeria, Jamaica, and the like,” she explained.

In addition to her music career, Rachel Magoola is also the Woman Member of Parliament for Bugweri District.