Renowned Ugandan musician Daudi Mugema has been confirmed dead after being found unresponsive in a hotel room in Gulu City.
The ” Katonda Wa’banaku” singer had reportedly traveled to Gulu to seek financial assistance from Gen. Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC).
According to CBS FM, Mugema’s cause of death has not yet been established, and authorities have launched an investigation. Further details are expected in the coming days.
Mugema’s death comes just months after he publicly celebrated a remarkable recovery from a serious health condition that had caused severe swelling in his limbs.
Initially suspected to be cancer, the illness prompted him to seek treatment in Turkey in 2024. However, after undergoing extensive tests at three Istanbul hospitals, cancer was ruled out, though the exact cause of his condition remained undiagnosed.
Despite the medical uncertainty, Mugema’s health improved significantly. By March 2025, he announced that he was able to walk unaided, attributing his recovery to the generous support of friends, fans, and well-wishersbincluding Gen. Saleh, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and fellow musicians Mesach Semakula, Eddy Kenzo, and David Lutalo.
However, Mugema’s health battle had taken a financial toll. In May 2024, he publicly appealed for help, revealing that his condition had worsened following an arrest he said was politically motivated.
He alleged that during his detention, he was tortured and exposed to harmful chemicals, which led to persistent pain and swelling in his legs.
His trip to Turkey, meant to be a turning point, was further complicated when the individual who arranged the journey allegedly abandoned him, leaving Mugema to manage mounting medical bills alone.
Mugema’s latest visit to Gulu was believed to be part of his continued search for financial support. Gen. Saleh, retired military officer and brother to President Yoweri Museveni has played a central role in supporting Uganda’s creative industry. Based in Gulu, Saleh leads OWC, a government initiative aimed at poverty reduction and economic empowerment.
His home in Te-dam Cell, Bardege Parish, Layibi-Bardege Division, has become a hub for musicians and entertainers, particularly since the 2021 general elections. Many artists have traveled to Gulu in hopes of securing funding for their personal or professional projects.
Mugema had previously benefited from Saleh’s support. In 2025, he revealed that after a two-and-a-half-month wait,5 the general had provided him with financial assistance that enabled him to build a permanent home and stabilize his financial situation.
Yet the growing influx of artists to Gulu has drawn criticism from Saleh, who in December 2024 urged musicians to leave the area, calling on Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF) president Eddy Kenzo to address the growing pressure on his office.
The circumstances surrounding Mugema’s death remain unclear. Reports suggest he checked into a hotel in Gulu hoping to meet Gen. Saleh for further support possibly related to unresolved health or financial challenges.
Authorities continue to investigate, and an official cause of death has yet to be announced.
