Articulating the unpalatable truth playfully : didacticism of governance elements in uganda popular music of Mathias Walukagga and Ronald Mayinja

Abstract

This study aimed to establish the role of popular music in political education by using a case study of Ugandan popular music by Mathias Walukagga and Ronald Mayinja. It was conducted under three specific objectives namely; (i) to examine the theme of accountability in Uganda’s governance in the songs of Mathias Walukaga and Ronald Mayinja. (ii) to examine the theme of transparency in Uganda’s governance in the songs of Mathias Walukaga and Ronald Mayinja and (iii) to examine the theme of citizen participation in Uganda’s governance in the songs of Mathias Walukaga and Ronald Mayinja. The study employed a sociological literary theory that relates a piece of writing to the society of its author. The study findings indicated that indeed popular music shares information about governance elements; accountability, transparency and citizen participation playfully. The study also examined the figurative language such as metaphors, similes, allusions, irony, and other poetic properties using dramatization, costumes and histrionics. Hence popular music is the best way of educating the masses about political realities in their country. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended in the absence of the platform for civic education, popular music should be be given maximum support by the government of Uganda to reach every citizen just like universal education.