In a time when airwaves carried more than just music they carried identity, culture, and connection Michael Benjamin Owor, better known as DJ Bush Baby, stood at the heart of a movement that redefined East African entertainment. His recent passing left a deep void in the region’s media and music landscape, but his legacy continues to echo through every beat he ever spun.
At EATV Channel 5 and East African Radio, Bush Baby became more than a DJ he became a voice of the youth and a champion of regional unity. Through the bold creation of UTAKE a concept that brought together Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya he proved that borders could not limit rhythm, nor could language contain passion. His shows didn’t just play music; they curated moments that defined an entire generation.
Those who lived in Dar es Salaam in the early 2000s will never forget the magic of Uganda Central on Urban Television. Every episode was a passport back to Kampala a vibrant tapestry of emerging urban sounds, dancehall rhythms, and energetic storytelling. Bush Baby spotlighted the budding urban scene in Uganda, putting talents like Blu*3, Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, and Clear Kut in the same breath as East African giants like Jua Kali, Nazizi, and Professor Jay.
In the corridors of Kololo’s Roscoe Road, during high school days, he was simply Michael a humble, reserved young man who let his mixtapes do the talking. Those who knew him then describe a boy with a head full of melodies and a heart full of dreams. He would later shape an entire sound era, introducing millions to both global icons like Boyz II Men, Phil Collins, Craig David and local stars who would become household names.
Bush Baby’s role was more than entertainment it was preservation. In a region where much of the music industry lacked infrastructure, he became a bridge between artistry and opportunity. He was among the first to mentor rising talents, coordinate media coverage for East African musicians, and ensure that the sound of Kampala reached far beyond its hills.
