In a rare and revealing interview, former Firebase Crew Vice President BuchaMan opens up about walking away from Bobi Wine, the struggles that followed, and how the split reshaped his career and legacy in Uganda’s music industry. The headlines read “BuchaMan leaves Bobi Wine,” marking a notable shift in their dynamic.
For the first time in years, Mark Bugembe, popularly known as BuchaMan, has come out to tell his side of the story — the story of his departure from Bobi Wine’s Firebase Crew, a move that shook Uganda’s music and entertainment circles. Truly, BuchaMan leaves Bobi Wine was a turning point for many.
Speaking in an exclusive interview that felt part confession, part revelation, BuchaMan reflected on the decision that, according to him, “broke friendships, redefined loyalties, and tested his faith in the industry.” The separation, where BuchaMan had to leave Bobi Wine, became a significant chapter in his life.
“Leaving Bobi wasn’t about betrayal — it was about survival,” BuchaMan confessed, his tone alternating between nostalgia and defiance. “At some point, I realized I had to find my own identity outside Firebase. It was either grow on my own or remain in someone’s shadow forever.”
The split between BuchaMan and Bobi Wine — once inseparable brothers-in-music and the faces of Uganda’s ghetto movement — left fans divided. Some labeled BuchaMan a sellout; others saw him as a free spirit refusing to be contained. The moment when BuchaMan leaves Bobi Wine stood out as a pivotal change.
But behind the headlines, BuchaMan reveals, was a painful period of reflection and reinvention. This phase began after the moment he chose to leave Bobi Wine behind.
“It wasn’t easy,” he admits. “Doors closed. Promoters stopped calling. People thought leaving Bobi meant I had no future. But I kept pushing — even when no one was listening.”
The artist described how he struggled to maintain relevance in an industry that had largely moved on, while Bobi Wine’s rise from artist to politician only intensified public comparisons.
Still, BuchaMan insists he holds no bitterness toward his former ally. The friendship that was once shared by BuchaMan and Bobi Wine has transformed.
“I respect Bobi Wine for what he’s achieved,” he said firmly. “He had a vision that went beyond music. But my path was different — I wanted to stay true to the music, even if it meant walking alone.”
Today, BuchaMan says he’s reclaiming his voice. He’s working on a new studio project that blends reggae, dancehall, and activism — a sonic reflection of his evolution since the Firebase days.
He hinted that the new material will tell “the real BuchaMan story” — not the rumors, not the media narratives, but the truth behind the man who once ruled the ghetto airwaves.
“This is my comeback,” he smiled. “People will finally understand why I left — and why I never gave up.”
As Uganda’s entertainment industry watches his next move, one thing is clear: BuchaMan’s fire still burns. And after years in the shadows, he’s ready to step back into the light — on his own terms. The chapter of “BuchaMan leaves Bobi Wine” might have ended, but his story continues in new directions.
