Ugandan Singers’ Live TV Interview Explodes into Personal Clash Over Music and Morals
A routine television interview turned into a spectacular public feud when fast-rising Ugandan musicians Gloria Bugie and Aaronx traded sharp accusations and personal insults before a live studio audience, culminating with Bugie storming off the set.
The heated exchange has sparked widespread discussion, laying bare a conflict over artistic expression, public image, and personal values within Uganda’s music scene.
🔥 The Explosive Exchange
The incident occurred on Galaxy TV’s “Flexx” show, hosted by Deejay Nimrod. What began as a standard interview quickly escalated following a simple question.
The Trigger: When Nimrod asked Gloria Bugie if she knew Aaronx’s hit song “Permission,” her cold reply set the tone: “No. I know all the major songs that make sense”. The studio audience burst into laughter, but the mood soon turned confrontational.
Accusations Fly: Bugie seized the moment to accuse Aaronx of using her name for publicity. She addressed other artists, saying, “My advice to all artists who seek to use other people’s names to rise, should stop it—the likes of that one seated next to you (Aaronx)”. She claimed he had spoken about her previously but was now silent.
Aaronx’s Defense: When asked to respond, Aaronx explained his past criticism was rooted in discomfort with Bugie’s stage persona. “I was like she should make music and not show her body to people,” he stated, referencing her bold and provocative performances.
The Final Blow: Bugie, visibly angry, retorted, “I think he should focus on music and not act like women,” before making a comment questioning his sexuality: “I can never and never work with artists who act like women. He’s not straight!”. She then dropped her microphone and walked out, ending the interview.
📜 A History of Tension
The live clash was not an isolated incident but the eruption of a long-simmering dispute.
Aaronx’s Past Comments: Earlier this year, Aaronx had publicly declared he would never collaborate with Gloria Bugie. He framed the decision in terms of personal and brand values, stating, “Gloria Bugie, to the state that I am, a gentle guy, and the kind of work I do, has a class of people who don’t associate with certain things”. He even extended this to a personal relationship, adding, “I can’t even date her. How will my mother feel if such happens?”.
Bugie’s Rising Profile: Gloria Bugie, born Gloria Busingye, is a Rwandan-born artist who rose to fame in Uganda. She gained significant popularity with her hit song “Nyash” (also known as “Bankyawa”), which went viral on platforms like TikTok. Her career has been marked by both success and controversy, with critics often focusing on her provocative fashion choices and stage performances as much as her music.
💡 The Deeper Conflict
The argument transcended a personal spat, highlighting broader tensions within the entertainment industry.
· Artistic Expression vs. Moral Judgment: The core of the dispute lies in differing views on artistry. Aaronx positions himself as a “gentle guy” whose music and brand are incompatible with overt sexuality. Bugie, conversely, has been unapologetic about her expressive and sensual performance style, previously defending her right to express herself artistically and physically.
· The “Clout” Controversy: Bugie’s accusation that Aaronx uses her name for publicity taps into a common industry debate about artists leveraging controversy for attention. Their very first meeting becoming a televised showdown adds fuel to this claim.
· Problematic Rhetoric: The exchange escalated into potentially harmful territory. Aaronx’s comments invoked family approval (“my mother”) to criticize a fellow artist’s persona. Bugie’s retaliation involved questioning Aaronx’s masculinity and sexuality, a type of personal attack that has drawn criticism for being regressive and offensive.
📣 Aftermath and Reaction
The fallout from the interview was immediate and public.
· Social Media Division: Clips and reports of the clash spread quickly online, sparking heated debate. Public reaction was divided, with some commentators supporting Bugie’s stance and others criticizing both artists for the public spectacle.
· Damaged Prospects: Any possibility of a professional collaboration appears utterly destroyed. The deeply personal nature of the insults suggests a rift that cannot be easily mended.
· A Spotlight on Industry Rifts: The incident serves as a very public case study in how clashes over artistic style, public image, and personal values can play out in Uganda’s competitive music scene.
In summary, the confrontation between Gloria Bugie and Aaronx was more than just television drama. It was a raw, public airing of a conflict between two different artistic identities, raising questions about judgment, reputation, and the lines of acceptable conflict in the public eye.
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