Ugandans go to the polls in February for general elections, and campaigning is already underway in a big way. On a recent visit to Kampala, along with dodging potholes and the ubiquitous ‘boda boda’ motorcycles, we also had to weave our way through large and festive groups of election supporters for the various parties, dressed in their signature colors.

In the case of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, the bright yellow of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is accompanied by a song, “Another Rap,” that has become a national hit.

The song seems to be boosting his popularity among the youth — important for an ageing leader who has been in power since 1986 — and has become an important weapon in his fight against main rival Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change. Besigye is a former confidante of Museveni’s who has promised to fight corruption and boost social services.

Election theme songs are nothing new. In South Africa for example, president Thabo Mbeki used “Vulindlela” one of the pop singer Brenda Fassie’s hits [remember her earlier homage to Nelson Mandela, “Black President”] as the theme for one of his campaigns, while DA leader Helen Zille was criticized for adopting “Koekie Loekie”, an Afrikaans hit with very sexist lyrics. [The “koekie” of the song refers to women’s genitalia.]

But what makes Museveni stand out is that he stars in his own song. Apparently it all started when he broke out in an a-cappella rap at a student rally. Someone recorded it and set it to music, and the thing went viral. Many youngsters have it as their cellphone ringtone, and pass it along to their friends.

The song’s title is taken a metaphor for Museveni’s request for yet another term in office. But Uganda’s tabloid press have also been tacking on their own interpretations. For example, one recent article used the song’s name as the headline for a piece on sexual stamina – asking men if they’re up to a second or third round of sex when their woman asks, ‘Want another rap?”

Here are the lyrics:

Chorus:

You Want another Rap?
Yes Sevo!
You Want another Rap?
Yes Sevo!

Verse:

Mp’enkoni mp’enkoni mp’enkoni
Mp’enkoni engarama ziizire
Ziizire niicund’ebinio
Ebinio bya Rutendegyere
Rutendegyere enkuba emuteere
Emuteerere ahaiguru mpariya
Ahaiguru hariyo orwitiri
Orwitire oruzaarwa n’enkura
Enkura eshoroma etegire
Etegire akaara k’embogo
Ak’embogo karimu omwonyo
Omwonyo guruga Nsharira
Nsharira omunda y’engoma
Y’engoma, y’engoma, y’engoma

Direct Translation:
Give me my stick! Invaders from Ngarama have arrived, shaking their bums like Rutendegyere. May thunder strike Rutendegyere from above where there is abundance that helps the rhinoceros to thrive. The rhinoceros feeds but remains ready for a buffalo attack. The buffalo, whose meat is salty. The salt that comes from Nsharira deep inside the kingdom.