A public spat has erupted between Ugandan musicians Aaronix and Gloria Bugie after the two exchanged sharp words over image, professionalism and artistic branding, igniting debate within the entertainment industry and on social media.
Aaronix, whose real name is Aaron Mukwaya, is known for his Afrosoul sound blending Afrobeats, jazz and R&B, with songs such as “Njalwala.”
Speaking about why he would not associate professionally with Gloria Bugie, the singer described himself as a “gentle guy” whose work targets a conservative audience.
“My work is for classic audiences—people who easily get irritated by inappropriate behavior,” Aaronix said. “She is someone associated with nudity. If I’m just next to her, my fans would immediately say it’s not right. How can my audience hear that I’m even associating with her?”
His remarks appeared to be a response to ongoing public discussion linking the two artists, though he did not specify a particular collaboration or incident.
Gloria Bugie, whose real name is Gloria Busingye, fired back strongly, accusing Aaronix of using her name for publicity.
Bugie, a popular singer born in Rwanda and now based in Uganda, is known for her bold artistic persona and frequent media appearances.
“I have an important message for artists who want to use other artists’ names for their gains to stop,” Bugie said, referring directly to Aaronix. “He had a lot to say about me and now he is quiet. Work hard. I never try to use any artist’s name or attack anyone.”
Bugie escalated the exchange with personal criticism, adding: “I think he should focus on making music and not acting like women. I can never work with an artist who acts like women. He isn’t straight.”
The comments have drawn mixed reactions online, with some fans supporting Aaronix’s right to protect his brand identity, while others criticized both artists for turning a professional disagreement into personal attacks.
Some commentators also questioned the tone and nature of Bugie’s remarks, calling for more respectful discourse within the music industry.
Neither artist has indicated plans to reconcile or collaborate, and no further statements had been released by either side by the time of publication.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Uganda’s music scene over image, branding and the boundaries between personal expression and public perception.
