Rising music star Joshua Baraka has opened up about his diverse heritage, sharing personal insights that reveal a rich blend of East African identity.
In a candid YouTube interview, Baraka shed light on the background behind his surname and striking appearance. “My dad is Kenyan from Busia, so he grew up in Kenya, Eldoret, but I was born in Uganda,” he said, addressing questions about his mixed heritage.
The revelations didn’t stop there. Baraka also shared that his mother is Rwandan, adding another layer to his multicultural story. “Even my mum is a Munyarwanda, and that’s why I look a bit ‘Western,’” he joked. “When I find Banyankore, they greet me ‘Agandi,’ so my mum is from there. But I am a Ugandan, although I’m a ‘cocktail.’”
For those curious about his tribe, Baraka clarified that he is Samia by origin—a Bantu ethnic group found in both Uganda and Kenya. “I’m Samia, but I don’t speak the language fluently. I can only manage the greetings,” he admitted with a smile.
Baraka’s openness about his background highlights the evolving identity of many young Ugandans who straddle multiple cultures. As his music continues to resonate across the region, so too does his story—a reminder that identity today can be layered, complex, and proudly unboxed.
