Philly Bongoley Lutaaya, The Brave Ugandan Artist Who Declared To The World That He Had AIDS

There is a good reason why Philly Bongoley Lutaaya dominates both World AIDS Day and Christmas at once. He is the father of positive living and made unforgettable music.

Philly Bongole Lutaaya (born 19th October 1951) is a recording artist who was popular in Uganda in the 1960s, and in the 1970s. He toured the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Japan. In the mid 1980s, he settled in Stockholm, Sweden.

He is highly known as one of the first Ugandans to publicly declare their HIV status.
He then went on to release the iconic song, 'Alone'.

The song became the poster child of Uganda's fight against HIV/AIDS.

December is the month known to many as one that is dedicated to creating awareness around HIV/AIDS, thus, Lutaaya's 'Alone' graces the airwaves when the month starts.

But as it progresses, people move into the festive season. Lutaaya still dominates, thanks to a Christmas album, Merry Christmas which he released in 1987.

With songs such as 'Zukuka', 'Tumusinze' and 'Gloria', he rules many airwaves since these songs are part of Uganda's festive season soundtracks.

Coming out as having AIDS
Lutaaya returned to Uganda from Sweden in 1989.
On April 13, during a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel, a local newspaper reported that he declared his status.

"Fellow comrades of Uganda," he said, "it is with utmost regret that today I inform you that the sickness bothering me has been diagnosed as AIDS."

Several other newspaper editorials applauded his courage especially because he did this at the time when the disease had ravaged the country, yet people did not talk about their positive status openly.

His announcement is said to have changed how Ugandans viewed HIV/AIDS. Alot of misinformation plagued HIV/AIDS at that time.

Lutaaya went on to visit different corners of Uganda sensitising people and preaching against reckless sexual lifestyles.

One of these was in August 26, 1989, when he staged what was his biggest showcase at the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium in Uganda.

Apparently many in attendance had different opinions about him, with many believing he was telling lies considering the fact that he was still strong and could afford to sing and dance. While others thought he had been cured.
Some people booed him instead.

Others believed he had been paid by Europeans that wanted to make films about Ugandans being ravaged by the AIDS scourge. These people believed he had used a drug to lose weight.

Death
It is said that upon knowing he did not have enough time to live, he knew he wanted to leave a legacy. He thus, spent a big part of 1989 doing advocacy work as well as recording new music.

Tezra Lutaaya, one of his daughters in a 2010 interview says the period wore him down;

"Because of the music he wanted to release, he did not mind his life anymore; he missed his appointments with the doctors and even his medication."

While he recorded his albums 'Alone' and 'Tumusinze', his hair had started falling off. A relative intervened by making him a dreadlocks wig.

Tezra in 2010 said Lutaaya's final words were asking his mother to lift his head to have one final look at the world he was about to leave, he died in his mother's arms after that glimpse on December 15.

Philly's Impact:
Lutaaya has been lauded for being strong and brave for declaring his HIV status at the time people were not talking about the disease.

He became the face of a disease many had discarded as a myth and on another day, witchcraft.

His impact saw many more people come out to declare their HIV status, many that ended up becoming activists.

In 2007, in celebration of his legacy, artistes such as Bebe Cool, Iryn Namubiru, Julianna Kanyomozi, Bobi Wine and Mesach Ssemakula came together to breathe new life to his classics such as Nazagwaki, Born in Africa and Diana. Many of his songs have been re-recorded by many artists in his honor.

In 2004, during the second edition of the Pearl of Africa Music Awards (PAM) he was posthumously honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lutaaya's contribution to positive living and creating HIV/AIDS awareness will forever be appreciated and remembered.
Honor his efforts by living positively with HIV and stay negative if you do not have HIV.

Rest in Power, Philly Bongoley Lutaaya.
#WorldAidsDay
#Iconic
You can listen to his iconic songs on Boomplay

'Alone'
Alone

Christmas Playlist, curated from Philly's music
Christmas With Philly Lutaaya