Herman Basudde (December 5, 1958 – June 11, 1997) was a Ugandan Kadongo Kamu musician.

Herman Basudde was born on December 5, 1958, to Eria Katende and Dimitiria Namyalo. He was born in the Masaka District, ⁣⁣Uganda⁣⁣.^[1] He attended both Kibanda Primary School and Kitenga Primary School but reportedly did not continue his education beyond primary school.^[2] He was also a member of the school choir.^[3]

Brown Rodgers, a friend of Eria during World War II, gifted him a guitar as a way to remember him after the war. Basudde quickly became fascinated with the instrument. The guitar quickly took up most of Bassude's time, and his mother. Dimitiria, was dismayed that he spent less and less time doing housework or schoolwork. However, his father Eria encouraged Basudde to continue practicing, believing in his musical potential. Facing financial struggles, Basudde eventually dropped out of school to focus on music.^[4]

Bassude quickly gained local recognition. Whenever there was a party in the village, he entertained the guests with his guitar and his music, receiving money in return as a token of appreciation. However, his growing popularity also led to jealousy among some local youths, who attempted to force him out of the area.^{[citation needed]}

His career guide was the singer Livingstone Kasozi, who taught him to play the guitar, sing, and perform live on stage.^[5] He toured East African countries, travelling to Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.

Basudde is credited as one of the musicians who revived interest in baakisimba, mixing Western and Kiganda music to appeal to a new audience.^[6] He had a husky voice and sang passionate songs about mischievous love affairs, philandering husbands, and bizarre witchcraft. In a popular song, Ekiwuka Ekyaga Muntamu, Basudde used metaphor to invoke the AIDS epidemic in Uganda. In the song, the narrator dreams of a lizard-like insect invading his home and despoiling life, food, and sex.^[7]

Basudde died in an accident while travelling to his parent's house in Masaka, south of Kampala. His funeral was a national occasion and raised US$ 12 million.^{[citation needed]} Some saw Basudde as a rebellious spirit. He had left the Catholic Church to adopt animism and was attacked by certain clergy for forsaking religion in favor of witchcraft. He was accused of sensationalizing his music by bringing seductively dressed girls onto the stage and commercializing the Kadongo Kamu singers.^[8]

Historian Basaaya Rocks Peter says that Herman Basudde was a prophet since he could foretell what would happen. His popularity is still high, and many upcoming musicians visit his grave to seek wisdom. Fred Ssebatta, one of Kadongo Kamu regents, asserts that Basudde was highly creative and exceptionally fast at composing music, making him difficult to rival. He continued by saying that it would be very difficult to compare Herman Basudde's music-writing skills with anybody. He further said that whenever Herman Basudde released a song, Ssebatta would target him the next day.

On October 12, 2012, Ghetto president Bobi Wine paid tribute to the work of Herman Basudde. "How I wish prophet Herman Basudde could be around," he said. "He left us to accomplish his mission, but his shoes are far too big for us to wear." Basudde composed in his head and couldn't repeat what he had earlier sung. Herman Basudde toured several East African countries, including Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda. This tour raised him over USH 70 million, a huge amount at that time.^{[citation needed]}

Basudde died in a car accident while travelling to his parent's house in Masaka, south of Kampala.

Before his death, Basudde had foretold his death through words and actions. Aisha Nakito (widow) narrated what happened days before his death. On June 10, 1997, he went to meet Jane Basirika (concubine) after several days of touring EA. They had a meal while waiting for Serunjoji. As soon as Serunjoji came, he embraced him. They had previously experienced some misunderstandings, but they reconciled during a family reunion. Afterward, they departed for Masaka, where his father was bedridden due to paralysis.

On their way, they stopped at Lukaya road toll for a snack, where Basudde became involved in a heated argument with a man. Sylvester Busuulwa intervened to defuse the situation. Still agitated, Basudde drove off at high speed. As Basudde's vehicle approached the village of Kabaale Bugonzi, a lorry attempted to overtake him. He lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn multiple times, resulting in his death.

Before Basudde died, he insisted that he be buried with what he'd called his favorite "dry guitar." He had noted that his long-term colleague, Livingstone Kasozi, had been buried holding his favorite cassette tape, and he wanted his guitar to console him in the same way in the afterlife.

• Download Herman Basudde Songs
• HERMAN BASUDDE: portrait of a musical prophet, 4 July 2016, The Observer
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