BUSABALA BLOCKADE: HOW FANS REACTED TO KYARENGA FIASCO

By Our Reporters

Some minutes past 2am Wednesday morning, Bobi Wine took to his social media platforms to communicate real bad news to millions of his followers and fans. “Hordes of soldiers have been dropped by military trucks in Busabala. They have surrounded my premises at One Love Beach where we were organizing a Boxing Day show later today,” he posted on his facebook page officially followed by close to 1m people. Earlier in the day, another musical show in Ggaba was abruptly stopped after police intervened on learning Bobi Wine was already in the house about to come on stage. In the Busabala message, Mr. Wine disclosed security operatives had directed the taking down of the stage and scattered all other materials organizers had put in place for the show. He said many had been arrested including his kitchen staff. Guests, who had booked in earlier and were lodging at the beach facility too, were thrown out and the entire place cordoned off. Mr. Wine seemed surprised this could still happen after a parliamentary resolution condemning past interference by the same security agencies in his music business. He ended his post by condemning the interference as “unconstitutional.”

FANS’ VARIED RESPONSES;

As expected, his fans reacted instantly some with lots of anger and others with strategy and restraint. Despite his earlier public warning that there was no need to be at loggerheads with Kizza Besigye’s supporters (he called him Dr. KB), some of the fans tribalised things by saying KB was never treated this badly because he is a westerner. Following on Elvis Kintu Nsonyi who denounced this as state “impunity,” Eddie Mutembeyi Seny said they are ready to show solidarity by paying for the show even if it’s put off hoping they will finally have it in 2021 (presumably) when Museveni is gone. Baya Ronald, a strong Besigyeist, then weighed in wondering what will stop Museveni blocking the same in 2021. He then referred to Besigye who has repeatedly warned people against putting their hopes on election year 2021. To him, the election period is just an opportunity to reach more people unhindered even when he remains doubtful electoral process will halt Museveni rule. The likes of Riel Juanita, Nze Sanyu, Ki-buy Keefa and others didn’t like Baya’s praising references to KB. Juanita wondered why Besigye wasn’t dead already like Aronda, Mayombo and Kazini if he is indeed a threat to the State. Peter Sserwanga, a renowned Bebe Cool fanatic, condemned Mr. Wine for being a cry baby each time he gets confronted by the state apparatus. He advised him to choose between being a law-abiding musician and political agitation whose consequences are increasingly becoming clear. He was supported by the likes of Owen Rwehobuganzi who implied Bobi should stop turning musical shows into political rallies to bash government. As expected, Sserwanga suffered the wrath of the Bobi fanatics including Ndagire Lydia Kimberly, Ronald Mugabe, Nanyunja Ritah Ssali, Nakaddu Gertrude, Maureen Nabaggala, Nelson Chango, John Ssentamu, Musoke Christine and others. Some went as far as saying that Sserwanga was proof a true Muganda will always pull down his co-ethnic. Some said Sserwanga, who didn’t deny being a Bebe fanatic, needs a brain booster. For Munyakitara Kaweisombo, it was time to preach the word. She made reference to Mathew 25:29 which implies that to the haves more will be added and the have nots will forfeit even the little they have. It wasn’t clear why Munyakitara made reference to this. Ongom Tommy Olem suggested immediate fundraising to create a contingent fund to keep the man from Magere politically energized and running up to 2021 and beyond. Many embraced this with the likes of Emma Katabalwa suggesting designation of mobile money lines onto which regular cash deposits (tofali-like) can be made to financially sustain Bobi and his family. Geoffrey Sebaggala (backed by others like Bernard Bagz, Kame Octs, Francis Ojok, Ibrahim Willnotes, Patrick Kaggwa, Mukisa Ronald Ekiwatule, Moses Okurut etc) expressed fears that too will be blocked by “Bosco’s people.” Zamil Kas proposed something better and more innovative. “Please tell Barbie to open up an account or she can start up an online GoFundMe campaign. This fight is for us all. [Bobi] We are with you forever,” he said. This was instantly endorsed with approval by many fans including Ongom Tommy Olem. Some said it was high time that Bobi Wine unleashes his Plan B if he indeed has any. This point came up after KB haters argued he was a Museveni mole evidence being his failure to invest in plan B after his votes are rigged. Some argued it’s wrong to blame KB or even Bobi Wine for the absence of plan B because none of the two men should be expected to have monopoly of plan B to end Museveni’s rule. Some argued that is where Mr. Wine’s Twebereremu slogan becomes practical because there must be as many plan Bs as possible. One commentator argued if each of the 40m Ugandans had a plan B, it would be easy to confuse, stretch and overwhelm the Museveni state-and eventually break it up.

ATTACKING BEBE;

Some proposed clandestinely flocking Kiwatule and attack Bebe from within his concert on the same day. Some, saying they support both Bebe and Bobi Wine (because we are all victims of same economic hardships), defended Bebe saying he was totally innocent in this. Anger should remain focused on Museveni and his security agencies, consensus eventually seemed to emerge. In the end, Elizabeth Adoa suggested (and majority agreed) staying away was the best option rather risking the wrath of being jailed for disrupting Bebe’s Kiwatule concert. Mark Ssaka was among the many who supported staying away as opposed to violence that would legitimize state brutality onto Bobi’s supporters. Meanwhile Bebe Cool intensified mobilization for his Tondeka Ekiwatule Mutima gwa Zabu and didn’t seem bothered by TVO’s notorious post predicting gun violence at Kiwatule.