Uganda’s undisputed “Queen Karma,” Sheebah Karungi, has made a strong comeback to the music scene after a long maternity break with her explosive new single “Somebody”—but not without drama. Hours before its planned release on July 18, 2025, the track was leaked online, sparking a wave of support from her loyal “Sheebaholics” and raising questions about industry sabotage.
The Leak: Sabotage or Stunt?
In a fiery tweet, Sheebah exposed the premature leak, lamenting the erosion of “healthy competition” in Uganda’s music industry:
“So #Somebody Wa #Somebody Leaked my song hours before its official release!! Can you believe that?!!! What happened to healthy competition banange?!” .
Despite the setback, she rallied her fans: “WAMA SHEEBAHOLICS KEEP STREAMING!!! #SOMEBODY. Out on all my official platforms!” The call to action worked – within 48 hours, “Somebody” surged across Apple Music, Boomplay, and DJ Erycom’s charts, underscoring her resilient fanbase.
A Legacy of Hits and Heart
The 35-year-old star (born November 11, 1989, in Kawempe) is no stranger to breaking records. Her career spans:
- Breakout Hits: “Ice Cream” (2014) catapulted her to fame, winning her four consecutive HiPipo Best Female Artist awards (2015–2018) .
- Cross-Genre Dominance: From dancehall anthems like “Nkwata Bulungi (Bailamos)” (4M Views) to collaborations with artists like Fik Fameica (“Bwe Paba”) and King Saha (“Muwomya”).
- Activism & Acting: Her role in Queen of Katwe (as “Shakira”) cemented her multi-hyphenate status.
Watch "Somebody" Video
- Why “Somebody” Matters
The track marks Sheebah’s first release since giving birth, symbolizing her defiance against industry pressures faced by female artists. In a 2023 interview, she emphasized gratitude as a core theme in her music – a sentiment echoing her hit “Neyanziza” (“It’s about gratitude to God and my journey”). “Somebody” continues this narrative of resilience.
Industry Reactions
Fellow artists and producers have condemned the leak:
“Leaks kill an artist’s momentum. Sheebah’s response shows why she’s Queen Karma – turning chaos into conquest.”
Fans have flooded social media with #StreamSomebody campaigns, pushing the song into Uganda’s Top 10 on Boomplay
© 2025 ugamusic. Follow us for breaking updates on Uganda’s music revolution.
💬 Join the Conversation