NDI recently partnered with pop-music star Bobi Wine to record a song that sends a message against election violence in his native Uganda. The song, composed in Lugandan and entitled “A Serious Matter,” is a mix between reggae and local African music. It is part of a campaign to encourage Ugandans to use a new citizen hotline called “Uganda Watch 2011” to voice concerns about the integrity of the electoral process surrounding polls set for February 2011.

Wine performed the song at the hotline kickoff in Kampala in June and has performed it live again around the country. The song has been aired on radio stations throughout Uganda since June, and the music video for the song has been featured on seven major TV stations. Both radio and TV stations have mentioned the hotline and its significance each time the song has aired.

NDI approached Wine, who is especially popular among the younger population, and offered financial support for the costs of producing an election-related song. With more than half of Uganda’s eligible voting population between the ages of 18 and 30, Uganda Watch supporters believe the song will be an effective way of getting the word out about the hotline and the importance of non-violence.

You can listen to the song, watch the music video or read a translated version of the chorus below.

Chorus

So if it is voting, let’s go and vote but votes should not separate us,

Let’s stop feuding ‘cause of those contesting,

Votes should not separate us.

As we’re feuding, they’re in agreement.

Votes should not separate us.

Voting comes to an end but we still stay

Votes should not separate us

Pictured Above: Bobi Wine performs “A Serious Matter.”

Published July 29, 2010