Kampala: From the streets of Kampala to the international stages of London, Bogotá and beyond, the Ganda Boys have spent decades turning music into a powerful expression of identity, heritage and belonging. On Friday night, that remarkable journey received another defining recognition as the Ugandan-born, UK-based musical group was honoured with the African Heritage Award at the 15th HiPipo Music Awards, held at the Kampala Serena Hotel. The award recognises the duo’s extraordinary contribution to preserving, celebrating and taking African cultural heritage to international audiences through music, creative collaboration and cultural advocacy.
For Denis Mugagga and Dan Sewagudde, whose musical journey began long before the world knew them as the Ganda Boys, the recognition celebrates years of reinvention, resilience and an unwavering commitment to carrying the story of their homeland wherever their music takes them.
Before the orchestral arrangements, international collaborations and cultural diplomacy, there was Da Twinz. Denis Mugagga and Dan Sewagudde first captured audiences as the Ugandan musical duo Da Twinz, building a following through their distinctive sound and memorable songs, including Bamidomo domo, Kitundu and Nafunye, among others. Their early success, including performances at significant cultural occasions in Buganda, established them as familiar names among Ugandan music lovers and the diaspora.
However, their ambitions extended far beyond the familiar boundaries of the Ugandan music scene. In 2008, an opportunity to contribute to the BBC television drama Moses Jones introduced the brothers to British musician, composer and producer Craig Pruess. What began as a creative collaboration would ultimately reshape their musical identity.
Together, they developed a distinctive African fusion sound that blended Ugandan rhythms and traditional musical influences with contemporary global genres, including soul, funk, rock and orchestral arrangements. The transformation from Da Twinz to Ganda Boys was therefore the beginning of a bold artistic journey that placed their Ganda identity at the centre of their international ambitions. Their debut album, The War of Love, further established this new direction, while their contribution to the musical score for Moses Jones earned a 2010 BAFTA nomination for Best Original Music Score.
The two friends who became brothers had found their voice on a bigger stage, and they were determined to ensure that voice remained unmistakably Ugandan. Perhaps nothing captures the Ganda Boys’ commitment to cultural preservation more powerfully than their ambitious work around Ekitiibwa kya Buganda, the Buganda Kingdom anthem.In 2022, the group embarked on an extraordinary project to take the anthem beyond the borders of Buganda and introduce its beauty, meaning and cultural significance to audiences around the world. The initiative brought together choirs from all six continents in a remarkable musical collaboration, featuring the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra and an orchestral arrangement by Craig Pruess. The recording was mixed by Grammy-winning producer Daniel Cortés.
The result was a powerful celebration of Buganda’s identity, presented through an international musical language while preserving the anthem’s original spirit. The project was inspired by the anthem’s call to take Buganda’s glory to the world, transforming a line of cultural aspiration into a tangible global movement. But the Ganda Boys were only getting started. In 2023, the group extended the initiative to Uganda, inviting singers and choirs to participate in a selection process for a new recording of the anthem. Sixty Ugandan singers were identified to participate in the project, which culminated in a recording at the Royal Albert Hall National Theatre in London. The initiative connected Ugandans at home with communities across the diaspora, allowing people of different generations and nationalities to encounter Buganda’s heritage through its music.
The project also earned recognition from Buganda’s cultural leadership, with the Nabagereka of Buganda, Sylvia Nagginda, praising the group for taking the anthem to the world and demonstrating their continued commitment to the Kingdom and its people.
In August 2025, the Ganda Boys reaffirmed this mission during a visit to the Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, at Bulange, Mengo, where they pledged to continue amplifying the anthem, Luganda and Buganda’s cultural heritage internationally.For the Ganda Boys, Ekitiibwa kya Buganda is a living connection to ancestry, language, belonging and the responsibility of preserving identity for generations to come.
Beyond their musical achievements, the Ganda Boys have consistently demonstrated that their cultural advocacy is inseparable from their commitment to humanity. The brothers are founders of the Ganda Foundation, established to support humanitarian initiatives in Uganda, including healthcare, education and poverty alleviation. Through fundraising concerts, partnerships and advocacy, the Foundation has supported the provision of medical equipment to hospitals and educational materials to schools, extending the group’s influence through entertainment into meaningful community impact. This combination of artistic excellence, cultural preservation and humanitarian service has helped distinguish the Ganda Boys as more than performers. They are storytellers, cultural ambassadors and advocates for the communities whose experiences and traditions inform their music. Their African Heritage Award therefore arrives at a particularly meaningful moment in a journey defined by the conviction that Africa’s cultural identity deserves to be celebrated, protected and shared with the world.
The African Heritage Award was presented to the Ganda Boys by Hon. Justine Nameere, the Minister of State for Local Government, who was representing H.E. Jessica Alupo, the Vice President of Uganda, during the 15th HiPipo Music Awards ceremony at Kampala Serena Hotel on 13 November 2026. The 2026 edition marked fifteen editions of the HiPipo Music Awards, a platform that has continued to celebrate music, creativity and cultural expression across Uganda, East Africa and the wider African continent.
Receiving the recognition, Denis Mugagga reflected on the significance of the honour and the responsibility that comes with representing Buganda and Uganda on the global stage.
Denis Mugagga, Ganda Boys, said: “This recognition is deeply meaningful to us because it celebrates our music and the journey of carrying Buganda and Uganda with us wherever we go. From our beginnings as Da Twinz to becoming the Ganda Boys, our story has always been about embracing who we are and sharing that identity with the world. We are grateful to everyone who has walked this journey with us, and we dedicate this honour to our homeland, our people and the generations who will continue to carry our heritage forward.”
For his brother, Dan Sewagudde, the recognition speaks to the deeper purpose behind their work: ensuring that African heritage remains alive, relevant and celebrated, regardless of geographical boundaries. Dan Sewagudde, Ganda Boys, said: “For us, African heritage is something to live, celebrate and pass on. Through our music, especially our work around Ekitiibwa kya Buganda, we want young people everywhere to take pride in their roots and understand the beauty of their identity. This award encourages us to continue telling our story, sharing our culture and ensuring that the richness of Buganda and Uganda finds a home in the hearts of people across the world.”
As the Ganda Boys continue to explore new musical collaborations and cultural initiatives, their journey remains anchored in celebrating and sharing Ugandan heritage with the world.
