Popular Ugandan singer King Saha found himself in a hostile situation on Saturday, March 22, 2025, after being attacked by revelers while performing at Kanuzire Lounge in Ibanda town, Western Uganda.
The “Ekimala” hitmaker, known for his recent anti-government songs, was reportedly met with anger from a section of the crowd, many of whom were displeased with the lyrical content of his performance.
King Saha, real name Manisul Ssemanda, is a vocal critic of the current regime, often using his music to address political and social issues. On this particular night, he performed his controversial “Ekimala” song, a track produced by Bass Boi and released in May 2024.
As expected, Saha added his signature personalized touches to the song, referencing recent events—something that appeared to trigger some members of the audience.
Eyewitnesses claim that some attendees, believed to be supporters of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), reacted aggressively, leading to a chaotic confrontation.
Adding to the tension, the event organizer is said to be a strong NRM supporter, which might have fueled the hostility toward Saha.
Videos from the event show King Saha and his team getting into a physical altercation with revelers, with chairs being thrown and punches exchanged. Security attempted to intervene, but the situation quickly escalated.
In some clips, King Saha can be seen arguing over the poor sound system, suggesting that technical issues may have also contributed to his frustration.
Ultimately, Saha was forced to leave the venue in the middle of the event.
Another controversial detail emerged regarding the event’s venue—Kanuzire Lounge, which also operates as a pork joint. Being a Muslim, King Saha was reportedly unaware of this before the performance, which some critics say might have also played a role in the hostile reception.
The event was attended by high-level government figures and politicians, further explaining the strong reaction to his performance.
Despite the incident, King Saha has not issued an official statement, but his team has vowed to address the issue soon.