Lately, I find myself watching the TV less and less. By TV, I mean the channels available to me. From UBC TV, Bukedde TV, NBS TV, TV West to Salt Media TV and others.
I will occassionally still sit long enough to watch a 20 minute broadcast from CNN, Aljazeera and BBC but that is not that frequent either. I have not dropped off in my daily consumption of current affiars news, I just find it elsewhere: podcasts and YouTube.
The Bad Natives Podcast
Majorly hosted by veteran Ugandan journalists Charles Onyango Obbo and Robert Kabushenga and their colleagues from South Africa (Ferial Haffajee) and Nigeria (Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie), this weekly podcast is perhaps the best analytical show of happenings in Africa that we have today.
Deeply researched, backed by the journalistic experience and real life encounters with some of the persons and events discussed, Bad Natives delivers to the listener a laugh filled buffet of information and sometimes startling insights into the corridors of power from the different capitals on the continent.
The contextualisation of the last 60 years of African history from a natives perspective makes this podcast a goldmine for those who love history or crave a deeper understanding of news you receive in 3 minute segments on the nightly news.
The Bad Natives Podcast is available on all podcast platforms as well as a video version on YouTube.
Muna Uganda +256
A Tracy and Shaba production, Muna Uganda +256 is where you go when you want to tap into the mindset of Ugandans under 35. Three years going strong, Tracy and Shaba perfectly represent the ambition and frustration of many youth in Uganda today in their takes on national events as well as commentary on society happenings day to day.
Tracy and Shaba will range from political hot topics like the sovereignity bill, now law, to more women resorting to plastic surgery in a desperate bid to look “good” like socialite Bad Black and singer Sheebah Karungi’s alleged BBL operations.
What sets Tracy and Shaba apart from most “vloggers” in the space is that most of their content and takes reflects careful research. Muna Uganda has also delved into investigative journalism exposing scams that lure gullible, unemployed youth.
Muna Uganda +256 can be found on YouTube with content releases at least twice a week, sometimes more.
Tie the Knot Podcast
Strictly speaking, the podcast is called Tie Knot but if you are searching for it on YouTube (where the host uploads), you will have more success using his tagline: The Romantic Mukiga.
The Collins Bareija helmed podcast by the radio host and popular master of ceremonies has challenged long held notions of what makes a Ugandan marriage tick.
Collins Bareija (better known by his preferred stage name Emeka) has somehow managed to find couples whose lives and love stories defy “traditional” stereotypes of feminity and masculinity, to the fury of some of his online followers.
Tie the Knot is an engaging documentation of Ugandan society expectations in 2026, how it was, how it is changing and the debate on whether that change is for the better or worse. A podcast to watch if you have a stake in the future of Ugandan life and society. One thing’s for sure, Tie the Knot forces you to have an opinion, whether you keep it to yourself or not.
Mind Your Head Podcast
The Canary Mugume/Sheila Tusiime Mind Your Head Podcast is interesting not just for the hosts, two very successful TV personalities but also the subject: mental health. Mental health, like many sexually transmitted diseases, remains a taboo subject for most in Ugandan cultures.
To admit that one sought treatment at the country’s premier psychiatric hospital Butabika is often regarded shamefully. Information on psychiatric conditions and help is hard to find in Uganda. Mind Your Head is therefore a trail blazer in the field which is eminently watchable and listenable for the skill of the hosts and calibre of guests they attract. Tough topics sensitively explored.
Mind Your Head UG Podcast can be found on Youtube, with some older episodes even on podcast streaming platforms.
Crystal Newman Uganda
In my book, the OG of Ugandan podcasting, YouTubing, a pioneer private FM radio presenter, Crystal Newman has been in the space since 2016. A great interviewer, Crystal Newman’s archive boasts some of the most indepeth life stories of prominent public Ugandans you can ever find anywhere.
Newman brings to the microphone warmth, good listening and empathetic probing skills that are sadly lacking in far too many Ugandan journalists and content creators in this space. Her interviews are often the best you will ever find on the lifestory of the person who sits down in her interview chair.
This is significant because Ugandans are loath to reveal themselves on record. Crystal Newman’s archives are invaluable for that.
Crystal Newman Uganda uploads on a near weekly basis on YouTube.
Kasuku Live YouTube
There is no one like Kasuku Live in the Ugandan YouTube and podcast space today, despite countless imitators. Isaac Daniel Katende aka Kasuku, former journalist that he is from Beat FM to KFM, covers the gamut of news from serious political happenings like the kidnappings in the country to what is on unpredictable socialite Bad Black’s mind this week.
You are as likely to find Kasuku hosting a guest who discusses the successes and failures of the PDM programme as one who can explain where to purchase the best fake bums in Kampala. This is his strength and weakness, Kasuku’s unpretenious interest in high and low subject is what endears him to his long time listeners so that he has become the country’s most influential podcaster and vlogger.
Kasuku Live uploads daily on YouTube. Daily. Monday to Sunday.
Honourable Mentions
1. The Long Form Podcast (YouTube, all podcast platforms)
2. The Ugandan Boy Talkshow (YouTube, all podcast platforms)
3. Arts 4 Hearts TV (YouTube)
4. Mordecai Muriisa Live (YouTube)
5. Bump Love UG (YouTube)
