Ugandan afrobeat-reggae singer and songwriter Dokta Brain says he has ended his partnership with Zhafar Music Agency, just months after joining the Kampala-based label.
The artist, born Nkwanga Geoffrey, confirmed the split during an interview with Galaxy TV Jikonkone. He signed with Zhafar in March 2025, a deal that included plans for rebranding and an Africa-wide tour.
According to him, the working relationship faltered because they could not agree on pace and vision.
“I was running at a higher pace and had bigger dreams. I was being slowed down,” Dokta Brain said. “Perhaps they have their own reasons, but the most important thing I credit them for is making the production possible. We had the same dream, and they funded my album.”
The singer declined to share details of the contract, citing a non-disclosure agreement.
Under the label, Dokta Brain deleted his previous online content and embraced a new image. Zhafar also financed the production of his V.A.T. EP, which introduced a sound he described as unfamiliar to many Ugandans.
He said the rebrand mattered, even though the rollout did not deliver what he had hoped.
“I rebranded when I got new management. I appreciated it so much,” he said. “It is sad that we are no longer working together but I’m still on the journey that we started. I wanted Ugandans to love that album so much, but it would have made sense if it had trended in countries where that sound is normal and came back to Uganda as an effect. Ugandans love jumping on trends and rarely make any.”
Plans for a continent-wide tour never materialized. Still, Dokta Brain praised the producers who worked on the project, saying the record’s quality remains strong.
“The album didn’t work out well for me like I expected, but the good thing was that it was mastered well,” he said. “I appreciate Herbert’s Skills and all the guys who did the beats. The music is still good; we could still shoot the videos and promote it where it deserves.”
Zhafar Music Agency, founded in January 2025 by CEO Haruna Zhafar, currently represents artists including Beenie Gunter, Vicky Bankx and Sheem Mwanje.
