Following a controversial rift between the old UB40 band and former band lead singer Ali Campbell’s new band, steering up talk about the latter’s slated return to Uganda, Campbell has come out to reassure his fans of who he is to UB40.

In virtual interview with a local TV station, today, Wednesday, October 25, Campbell clarified that there are two UB40s; the old UB40 band which consists of four of the founding band members, and then his
band, which he leads.

“However, I sang all the UB40 hit songs that you all grew up listening to. My band plays on all the big reggae festival around the world, and I think we have been growing exponentially. The other old UB40 band, on the other hand, are simply a cover band,” he emphasised. About the confusion of two UB40 bands in existence, Campbell said everyone who cares to follow reggae music and what has been happening in the UB40 case for some period now, knows that he last performed with the old UB40 band on the concert held in Uganda, in 2008. “Since then, we have gone on to exist separately, which, to me, is a good thing for reggae music,” he said.

Campbell, however, bragged, saying: “But on the real deal, if you want to listen to the real voice, singing the original UB40 music, then it’s my band you might want to come and watch. We (UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell) are the biggest reggae band in the world currently.” Campbell assured his Ugandan fans that he will be coming back to perform at Kololo Independence Grounds December 21, 2023 with a band almost the size of the original UB40