Facebook is the most used social media platform not only in the world but also in Uganda with close to 2 million users recorded in the year 2015.
Many public figures in Uganda have over the years created Facebook pages for themselves so that they can interact with their fans and audiences who are already on Facebook, but they have had varying levels of success. Some have been there for years but only managed a few thousand likes whereas a few who joined recently have seen explosive growth. Irene Ntale gets nearly 30,000 new likes every month, which means in 2 months she would have more likes than number 20, Grace Nakimera’s total.
In a series of articles we shall be looking into the details of the top Ugandans on Social Media, but for today we present to you the list of the top 20 on Facebook.
The list is dominated by musicians, with the only non musician appearing at number 11. Not surprisingly the only non entertainers on this list are politicians. I know some people might argue that politicians are also entertainers in a way!
Given the National Theatre is next to The Parliament, they should just merge them. I can barely tell the difference.
— Saro Wiwa (@Samwyri) August 19, 2015
Just so you know, this ranking is based on the number of Ugandan based followers each page has, and at a later time we’ll give our own ranking based on engagement, content, creative and other factors. The breakdown of location of followers is from SocialBakers.
Without further ado, here are the most popular Ugandans on Facebook:
20: Grace Nakimera
At number 20 is Grace Nakimera whose collaboration with the dynamic duo Gatimo and Paragon for the hit song in 2004 “Ani Akumanyi” brought her to fame. Her other popular hits include Kawoonawo and Sukuma. Grace Nakimera’s Facebook she started in 2011 has attracted a modest following over the years.
Ugandan following: 44k
Total Following: 53k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 83%
19: Keko
The female HIP HOP star Jocelyne Tracey a.k.a Keko came to fame in 2010 when she released “Fallen Heroes” alongside other top Ugandan Artsits. Although she has had some quiet moments in her career, she has remained popular and has made it to this list. Keko also has significant following from outside Uganda.
Ugandan following: 45k
Total Following: 70k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 65%
18: Peng Peng
The Sweden based “Peng Peng” now calls himself “Online media journalist for Forum for Democratic Change” but his rise to fame is from his days of commenting on society issues and promoting local musicians. Remember “Jeng Jeng”?.
Ugandan following: 46k
Total Following: 70k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 66%
17: Angella Katatumba
The singer, songwriter and daughter to H.E Boney Katatumba not only holds the Humanitarian Award for my “For You Gulu” and Climate Change Projects she won in 2013 but holds the 17th position for having the most followers on her Facebook page in Uganda. She opened up her social media page in 2006 and she also has considerable following from outside Uganda.
Ugandan following: 48k
Total Following: 312k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 16%
16: Radio & Weasel
The Dynamic Duo is the most liked group in Uganda, with major hits like “Juicy juicy” and “Ntunga”. With their Facebook Page they begun in 2011, the GoodLyfe Crew boys have managed to be among the top followed Ugandans.
Ugandan following: 67k
Total Following: 86k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 78%
15: Pallaso
On his return to Uganda in 2014, Pius Mayanja a.k.a Pallaso recorded a song with the GoodLyfe Boys a.k.a Radio and Weasel entitle “Amaaso” which was a mega hit in Uganda that also gave his an opportunity to win Best collabo at the buzz teen’s awards 2014. He is currently working on his new song “Bubble.”
Ugandan following: 70k
Total Following: 85k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 83%
14: Amama Mbabazi
The GO Forward presidential candidate and former Prime Minister of Uganda has had his following on Social Media increase over the past year when he announced his presidential bid.
Ugandan following: 91k
Total Following: 103k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 86%
13: Bobi Wine
Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi a.k.a Bobi Wine a.k.a the Ghetto President is loved by many because of his songs due to the fact that he bases them on real life so as to inspire people not to give up. He started his page in 2009 and he is among the most followed Ugandans on Facebook.
Ugandan following: 96k
Total Following: 116k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 82%
12: Rema Namakula
Rema one of Uganda’s most outstanding and talented musician came to fame when she released “Oli wange” written by Nince Henry making her popular in the music industry of Uganda. She managed to grab the 12th position as the most followed top Ugandans on Facebook with her page she had opened in 2012.
Ugandan following: 99k
Total Following: 112k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 81%
11: Yoweri Kaguta Museveni
He is the president of Uganda and the NRM flag bearer a.k.a “Sole Candidate.” Museveni is the most followed Ugandan although he was late to the social media party, and only opened this verified page in 2014. Not surprisingly, nearly half of his following is from the rest of the world.
Ugandan following: 102k
Total Following: 191k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 53%
10: Mariam Ndagire
Known for her role in “You can’t break my will,” she is a singer, entertainer, actress, playwright, film director and producer who managed to take the 10th position of the most followed Ugandan on Facebook, Mariam started her page in 2005.
Ugandan following: 104k
Total Following: 129k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 81%
9: Desire Luzinda
Desire Luzinda opened up her Facebook page in 2010 but it seems it really gained traction and got verified last year when her leaked photos broke the internet. There are so many fake “Desire Luzinda” pages, she might get the award for “Most pirated page on Facebook” if it existed!
Ugandan following: 107k
Total Following: 131k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 82%
8: Navio
Daniel Lubwama Kigozi a.k.a Navio is best known for his song entitled “Ngalo”. He recently released his new ablum “Choosen” at one of Uganda’s popular hangouts Panamera. He is among the most followed rappers on Facebook on a page he started in 2010.
Ugandan following: 117k
Total Following: 146k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 80%
7: Eddy Kenzo
With his major hit “Sita Loss” Eddy Kenzo holds an award of the “Most Viewers Choice Africa” in the BET Awards. Winning the award contributed a lot to his life. Eddy started his page in 2013 and also has following worldwide with only 56% of his followers based in Uganda.
Ugandan following: 141k
Total Following: 257k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 56%
6: Jose Chameleone
Joseph Mayanja a.k.a Dr. JOSE Chameleone is one of the most popular musical artists in Africa, the Leon Island Records boss who is not only popular musically but also popular on social media. Joseph Mayanja was ranked as the 6th most followed top Ugandan on Facebook. He begun his page in 2011.
Ugandan following: 166k
Total Following: 309k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 54%
5: Maurice Kirya
This might be a little unexpected that the “Mwoyo” RnB singer Maurice Kirya beat other “big names” like Dr. Jose Chameleone and Bobi Wine on this list. Given that he has a unique sound, could it be that his followers are more likely to be online than those of some other artistes?
Ugandan following: 173k
Total Following: 212k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 82%
4: Irene Ntale
Irene Ntale holds the award of the “Best Female Break through Artist 2013,” of the Hipipo Music Awards and has since grown into a force to reckon with on her own. Infact, Irene has been getting nearly 30,000 new followers every month, making her page the fastest growing Ugandan personality page! If she keeps this up she’s gonna be much higher on this list by end of this year.
Ugandan following: 174k
Total Following: 215k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 81%
3: Kansiime Anne / Entertainer
The now World famous comedian Anne Kansiime is the most followed Ugandan on Facebook. Although her page only went live in 2013, at 1.3 million fans in total, Kansiime has more than twice the following of the next Ugandan in the lineup. Kansiime’s global popularity is made evident by her Ugandan followers making up only 18% of her total following.
Ugandan following: 227k
Total Following: 1.3m
Percentage of Ugandan following: 18%
2: Juliana Kanyomozi
With her popular song “Woman,” Juliana is the most “Ugandan-followed” female Ugandan on Facebook. She started her page in 2011 and is popular beyond Uganda, with her Ugandan following making up less than 50%. Over the last 6 months, Juliana’s page has been growing at a rate of over 24,000 new followers per month, making hers the 2nd fastest growing Ugandan page.
Ugandan following: 244k
Total Following: 502k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 49%
1: Bebe Cool
It turns out that the loudmouth artiste Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool who calls himself Big Size is the Ugandan with the largest Ugandan following on Facebook. Maybe he is “Big Size” afterall!
Ugandan following: 281k
Total Following: 389k
Percentage of Ugandan following: 72%
What do you think about these most popular Ugandans on Facebook? Are there any that have surprised you? Or any that you expected to be on this list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.