Renowned Ugandan audio producer Jonah Muwanguzi is counting heavy losses after unidentified thugs broke into his music studio, stealing vital recording equipment and hard drives containing a treasure trove of unreleased music.
The shocking break-in left the producer devastated, with the stolen items including microphones, speakers, subwoofers, and hard disks many of which contained irreplaceable recordings from some of Uganda’s top musicians.
According to Mayanja, a close friend to Muwanguzi, the stolen hard disks held over 60,000 unreleased songs, among them projects belonging to the late Hon. Kato Lubwama, Hon. Geoffrey Lutaaya, Stabua Natooro, among others.
“These were not just machines, they were years of work, sweat, and national heritage,” Mayanja revealed.
While some of the stolen items were later found dumped in various locations, Muwanguzi is still in search of the remaining equipment and data. He is appealing to the public and well-wishers to assist in recovering the lost property and identifying those behind the attack.
“If anyone sees someone selling studio equipment that looks like mine, please contact me. We must bring the suspects to book,” Muwanguzi pleaded.
The veteran producer also hinted that the burglary may not have been random. He emotionally recalled a 2017 incident where his studio was mysteriously set ablaze, suggesting that someone could be deliberately trying to sabotage his career.
“If there’s someone who doesn’t want me to continue doing music production, let them come and tell me face-to-face. Don’t keep attacking me in the dark,” he said.
Muwanguzi has contributed significantly to Uganda’s music industry, producing for both mainstream and traditional artists. His loss is not just personal, but a blow to the broader creative community.
As investigations continue, the producer is hopeful that with public support, justice will be served and his life’s work recovered.
