Meet Waya Boy | Performing Artist, Singer-Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Waya Boy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Waya, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Besides choosing to work for myself, the single most important decision I made was walking 20 km during Uganda’s COVID‑19 lockdown to reach a makeshift studio and record what became my debut single ‘Hullo’. That moment defined not just a song — it defined my journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is rooted in real life — not just mine, but the pulse of Kampala and the rhythm of Africa. I blend Afro-pop with Ugandan street soul. Every track I create tells a story, and most of the time, it’s a story someone out there needs to hear — whether it’s pain, hustle, or pure joy.

What sets me apart? I don’t fake it. I record with what I have. I built my sound on a Nokia phone during lockdown. I sang barefoot on dusty streets before I ever stepped on a stage with lights. People feel that — the rawness, the hunger, the truth. I’m most proud that I stayed independent in spirit, and still rose through the noise.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I faced rejection, walked kilometers to record music, and lived without knowing where the next studio session would come from. But I kept going. I overcame with consistency, faith, and refusing to stay silent. I’ve learned that you don’t need perfect tools to make powerful music — you just need a clear voice and a real message.

The world should know this: Waya Boy is not just an artist — I’m a movement. A symbol that you can come from the ground up, with nothing but drive, and still make your way into people’s hearts. My brand stands for resilience, originality, and voice. If you hear Waya Boy, you hear Africa — unfiltered, unapologetic, and alive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Waya Boy:
If my best friend came through to Uganda for a week, I’d show them the real vibe — the food, the culture, the streets, the music. This is how we’d roll:

Day 1: Welcome to Kampala

We’d start with a city tour — downtown hustle, Owino Market madness, and a quick stop at the Uganda Museum. Lunch? A proper rolex and fresh juice on the roadside.
Evening: Dinner at The Lawns or Mediterraneo, then drinks at Skyz Hotel Naguru for city views.

Day 2: Culture + Dance

We’d head to Ndere Cultural Centre — drum beats, dance, and real Ugandan tradition.
Evening: Hit up Silk Lounge or Motiv for live music. Maybe I’d even perform a surprise set!

Day 3: Studio & Street Vibes

I’d take them behind the scenes — to the studio where I recorded “Hullo” during lockdown. We’d meet my producer, vibe to unreleased beats, and freestyle.
Night: Link up with Kampala creatives — music, fashion, film — at The Patio or Levels Lounge.

Day 4: Escape to Jinja

Early road trip to Jinja — source of the Nile. We’d go white-water rafting, chill by the river, and do some zip-lining at Griffin Falls in Mabira Forest.
Evening: Campfire by the Nile with local grilled tilapia and stories under the stars.

Day 5: Chill & Explore

Back to Kampala, we’d slow it down — lunch at Café Javas, hang by Lake Victoria, maybe do a boat ride at Ggaba Beach.
Evening: Chill night — movies, or just catch a sunset from Cassia Lodge.

Day 6: Party Like Kampala

This is when we go all in. Dinner at La Cabana for meat lovers. Then we hit Exo, Club Guvnor, or Nomad — the nightlife in Kampala hits different. You dance till morning!

Day 7: Reflect & Reset

Brunch at Endiro Coffee, walk around Acacia Mall, buy some Ugandan fashion and crafts.
We’d talk about the week, the vibes, the dreams — then drop them at the airport with music, memories, and maybe even a track we made together.

“Uganda is fire. Kampala is alive. Jinja is magic. And the people? The people make it. You don’t just visit here — you feel it.” – Waya Boy”

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This journey hasn’t been solo, not at all. First, my Mother — he was the first to believe in me when all I had was a voice and a dream. I also have to shout out my team, especially my producer Baba Kumapeesa who helped record ‘Hullo’ during lockdown and Beatbwoy Kennedy who we recorded with just a basic setup and a Nokia phone. And of course, the streets of Kampala — that struggle, that energy, that realness shaped me. Every boda ride, every late-night freestyle, every doubter — they all made Waya Boy what he is today.

Website: https://www.wayaboy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@wayaboyug

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/@wayaboy

Twitter: https://www.x.com/@wayaboyofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@wayaboyug

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wayaboy

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@waya_boy