Chameleone, Juliana, Bebe Cool under fire over new Museveni praise song
Leading Ugandan musicians have been under attack for their ‘Tubonga Naawe‘ composition in which they pledged allegiance to incumbent President Yoweri Museveni ahead of next year’s elections.
Social media has been awash with all sorts of criticism against the artistes that were involved in putting the song together.
According to singer Bebe Cool, the idea of the song came from several musicians, while others were told about it and liked the idea.
“We approached Kiwanuka Kiryowa [a lawyer with Kiwanuka & Karugire Advocates, legal representatives of NRM] to source for funds, we wouldn’t call the President to ask for money yet we were doing an appreciation song for him. We went to about eight different business people and they funded the making of both the audio and video of the song, plus some little facilitation for the artistes,” Bebe Cool said.
Jose Chameleone, another key figure on the project, was quick to downplay the criticism saying as artistes, they needed to initiate a relationship with the President and they found making a song the best way to achieve their intended goal.
“That goal was achieved, let those I annoyed in pursuit of a better future for an industry I have worked so hard for, forgive me,” he said.
Singer Juliana Kanyomozi did not survive the public wrath for being part of this project. In a Facebook post, she stated that she will not be bullied into giving up her rights as a Ugandan.
“There’s no need to use abusive, disrespectful, judgemental and insensitive language towards each other simply because of our different beliefs… You also have the choice to support me in this musical journey or not to,” Juliana said.
However, musicians Maurice Kirya, Eddy Kenzo and Bobi Wine didn’t sail in the same boat with many of their colleagues.
Kenzo wondered why of all times President Museveni was meeting entertainers now.
“Is everything ok back home?” Kenzo, currently in USA, wondered.
As for singer Bobi Wine, while his peers were posting pictures of themselves with Mr Museveni, he posted an earlier photo of him with Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.
SOURCE: Daily Monitor
