Operation Wealth Creation chief coordinator Gen (Rtd) Caleb Akandwanaho, popularly known as Salim Saleh, has criticised singer Mansoor Ssemanda, alias King Saha, over lyrics in his song “Kimala” that lament the decline of Uganda’s traditional cash crops.
Speaking on October 13, 2026, during the launch of the Uganda Coffee Group at Kapeeka Industrial Park, Saleh challenged the singer’s message and declared that coffee had returned. His remarks came as stakeholders gathered to promote investment in Uganda’s coffee industry.
In “Kimala,” King Saha expresses concern about the decline of crops that once supported many Ugandan households, including coffee, vanilla, moringa and cotton. The singer’s lyrics blame the government for the loss of these important sources of income.
Saleh asked the DJ at the event to play King Saha’s song, referring to its coffee refrain, “Akamwanyi Kaliwo.” He then used the opportunity to respond directly to the singer’s claims about the alleged disappearance of coffee from farmers’ lives.
“I would like the DJ to play King Saha’s song, Akamwanyi Kaliwo. You know I have a relationship with him but he is a crafty little guy,” Saleh said. He added that the singer had complained in the song that some people had stolen their coffee, before declaring that coffee was now back.
The exchange also attracted attention because of the family relationship between the two men. King Saha has a son with Saleh’s daughter, Rachael Kente, who has also reportedly supported the singer’s music career. Saleh’s comments therefore combined a response to the song with a personal reference to his son-in-law.
The remarks came as the Uganda Coffee Group launched an initiative aimed at strengthening private-sector investment across the country’s coffee value chain. The group intends to mobilise capital, coordinate strategic investments and bring together stakeholders to expand commercial coffee production and promote value addition.
The launch provided a platform for Saleh to counter King Saha’s message with a call for renewed confidence in coffee. While the singer’s lyrics focus on the decline of traditional cash crops, the new initiative seeks to encourage investment in coffee production, processing and marketing as Uganda works to strengthen the sector.
