In a world saturated with trending sounds, dance challenges, and fleeting fame, it’s rare to find a story rooted in genuine admiration a fan who promotes music not for clout or money, but out of love.
That’s exactly what happened when Jemima Lochang, a 25-year-old Ugandan woman born in the heart of Karamoja, found herself face-to-face with her idol, music legend Bebe Cool.
The meeting wasn’t staged by a record label or organized by a PR agency. It was a reward for authenticity.
“I’ve been a fan of Bebe Cool for as long as I can remember,” Jemima tells me, a spark lighting up her voice. “When he released ‘Break the Chains,’ I didn’t even think twice. I just knew I had to share it.”
She did more than just share it. She lived it song by song, lyric by lyric using her TikTok account to breathe life into the album.
Over several days, Jemima posted videos of herself miming to different tracks, adding commentary, and even explaining the meanings behind some of the songs. Her delivery was sharp, heartfelt, and infectious.
The internet took notice. So did Bebe Cool.
Who is Jemima Lochang?
To understand why her story resonates, it helps to know who she is. Jemima isn’t a social media influencer with millions of followers. She’s a young Ugandan woman with deep roots, strong values, and a quiet fire.
Born and raised in Karamoja, she began her education in Kamwokya at Hormisdallen Primary School, before attending Seroma Christian High School. She later joined Makerere University Business School (MUBS), where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Business. But it’s her passion for music, not business, that makes her voice unforgettable.
“I connect with music deeply,” she says. “It’s not just entertainment for me it’s healing, it’s expression, it’s power. When I love a song, I want others to feel what I feel.”
Outside the virtual world, Jemima lives a quiet but impactful life. She enjoys karaoke, spending time with friends, and doing community outreach, especially with children. “Giving back grounds me,” she says.
More Than Just an Album
Released on May 29, Bebe Cool’s 16-track album Break the Chains has taken the Ugandan music scene by storm. Not only did all the songs debut in Apple Music’s Uganda Top 100 within days with tracks like Cheque and Boy Like Me dominating the upper tiers but the album has also sparked a wave of nostalgia, pride, and renewed respect for one of Uganda’s longest-standing music icons.
“This album is different,” Jemima says emphatically. “We’ve been stuck in a cycle of shallow music perverted lyrics, no substance. But this? This is music with meaning.”
Her favorite? African Love, a collaboration with Yemi Alade. “First of all, I love everything African. I’m very patriotic. The song celebrates love in a way that’s culturally rooted. It’s beautiful.”
She also points to Home, a slow, string-rich ballad about redemption and self-reflection. “The message is so deep. It talks about rarely getting chances to make things right and how we must not waste those moments.”
Bebe Cool’s shift in tone on Break the Chains is hard to ignore. While he still maintains his signature swagger and versatility weaving through Afrobeats, gospel, dancehall, and political commentary the album feels like a mature artist stepping into legacy-building mode.
“It’s global,” Jemima says. “If pushed the right way, this album can sit on the same table as Burna Boy or Diamond Platnumz. We just need to support our own.”
Going Viral and Getting a Call from Bebe Cool
What happened next would make any fan’s heart race?
Jemima had been posting consistently for about a week, engaging her followers with in-depth takes on the album. “People kept saying, ‘You’re making us fall in love with these songs!’ And that made me so happy. That was my goal.”
Then came the moment she never expected.
“I was in bed I had malaria and my phone rang. It was a random number. When I picked up, I heard: ‘Hello, is this Jemima? This is Bebe Cool.’ I was in shock!”
He thanked her for promoting the album. “We didn’t talk for long, but even in that short call, I felt his appreciation. I couldn’t believe it.”
From there, things escalated quickly. His manager contacted her. A lunch date was arranged. Then, in true celebrity style, Bebe Cool personally picked her up in a convoy of three cars, including a bulletproof ride.
“That was the first time I’d ever been in a bulletproof car,” Jemima laughs. “And to think it was with Bebe Cool! It was surreal.”
The Lunch Date: Music, Zuena, and a Moment to Remember
On the day of the lunch, Jemima brought along her friend Bridget, her “good luck charm.” “I told her, ‘You’re coming with me. I need moral support!’”
They met Bebe Cool and his wife Zuena at a serene venue, flanked by his team and full of good vibes.
“He was so down-to-earth,” Jemima says. “I expected him to say, ‘Meet me somewhere,’ but no he picked me up himself. That shows a lot about his character.”
Over lunch, they talked about music, African artists, and the challenges of pushing meaningful content in a fast-moving digital world. He asked her about her favorite musicians, her dreams, and even gave her a small cash gift as a token of appreciation.
But it wasn’t about the money.
“It was the conversation, the respect, the humility. Bebe Cool didn’t treat me like a random fan. He saw me, heard me, valued me.”
Jemima’s story is more than a feel-good moment between a star and a fan. It’s a reflection of a cultural shift happening in Uganda one where fans are not just passive listeners but active promoters of homegrown art.
In a country where international music often overshadows local content, grassroots promotion like Jemima’s TikTok campaign plays a critical role in shaping musical success.
“This should be the norm,” she says. “Look at Nigerians. They hype their own. We must do the same.”
And artists, too, must take note.
Bebe Cool’s decision to publicly celebrate Jemima’s efforts sends a powerful message to his peers: appreciation goes a long way. It builds community. It fosters loyalty. It inspires.
“Bebe Cool is caring,” Jemima says thoughtfully. “He listens. He pays attention to things others overlook. He wants people to grow and he’s not afraid to show love back.”
What’s Next for Jemima?
Her TikTok following has already grown, and her inbox is full of messages from fellow fans and creators wanting to collaborate. But Jemima remains grounded.
“This wasn’t about fame,” she says. “It was about love for music. And I’ll continue doing what I love promoting what’s worth promoting, celebrating what’s worth celebrating.”
She hopes to one day work in music promotion officially, especially helping female artists in Uganda gain the visibility they deserve.
“Music is part of who I am. I want to use it to make change whether it’s through TikTok, events, or behind the scenes.”
As Uganda’s streaming culture grows and the power of the digital fan base becomes more evident, stories like Jemima’s remind us that the most impactful movements often start with a single voice genuine, passionate, and unafraid to be loud.
“Break the Chains isn’t just the name of Bebe Cool’s album,” Jemima says. “It’s what I did, too. I broke the chain of waiting to be hired or paid to promote good art. I just did it. And look what happened.”
In that spirit, maybe the most powerful lesson here is that fandom when rooted in sincerity can truly change lives.
