Rugunda given 48 hours to explain why police blocks Bobi Wine from singing

By Stephen Kalema

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has asked government to explain why police keeps blocking singer Bobi Wine’s music shows.

The query was directed to leader of government business Ruhakana Rugunda after Security Minister Elly Tumwine joked over the matter after the Kyadondo East Member of Parliament Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine tabled the complaint before Parliament on Tuesday.

“Hon Kyagulanyi will bear me a witness. When he came to Parliament as a musician I asked him, ‘how he will manage balancing music and politics’, and advised him to first do one thing at ago,” said Gen. Tumwine.

Kadaga then told Gen Tumwine that his reason was out of order since, when one joins Parliament that does not mean they leave what they have been doing before joining Parliament.

“Honorable members I want you to know that the oath we make when we join Parliament, doesn’t forbid anyone who has been a dancer from dancing. So let us not joke in this matter. I want a clear answer as to why police is preventing  Bobi Wine from holding his music shows,” said Kadaga.

Bobi Wine complained that the police has made it a habit to cancel his shows since he joined politics last year.

“Madam Speaker since last year in October Uganda police Force has been cancelling my shows. In October last year five of my shows were cancelled. I want to know why government is influencing police to stop my music shows,” said Bobi Wine, adding that police has threatened his businesses at One Love Beach by arresting people who were holding concerts there.

Kadaga then gave Rugunda 48 hours to give an explanation before members break off for Christmas holidays on Thursday.

Meanwhile the Federation of Performing Artistes of Uganda (FPAU) has also issued a document to Inspector General of Police Martin Okoth Ochola to explain why police is continuously blocking Bobi Wine’s music shows. They also promised to go to court in case IGP ignores their request.

On the same note music promoters have also vowed not to leave promoting Bobi Wine’s shows and have also tasked Ochola to explain why police has become their enemy causing them losses in the season where most of them expect to maximize profits.