By Our Reporters
Moments after midnight, Bobi Wine posted official video for his “Tuliyambala Engule” hit which instantly went viral with thousands of his followers declaring it Uganda’s new national anthem. “Finally true Uganda anthem is out. Composed by our President,” declared Senior Xavi, one of the many enthusiastic followers who were unanimous on this becoming post-Museveni Uganda’s anthem. Going by social media comments, the video was well received with many concluding that it carries a powerful and well-packaged political message reenergizing the struggle for political change for which Bobi Wine is increasingly distinguishing himself as new co-leader. If the names the people commenting is anything to go by, the new hit has succeeded in uniting the entire country (not just Buganda) behind the People Power message promising a new better Uganda. Its intro is a quotation (parroted by Mr. Wine himself) extracted from one of legendary Nelson Mandela’s speeches. Mandela’s quotation is to the effect that “never again will oppression of one by another ever be tolerated in the new Uganda” Mr. Wine sings about. That gone will be the days when Uganda bore the indignity of being the laughing stock of the world. The video envisages a Uganda where citizens will in unison walk with swag and pride while wearing the victors’ crown. The brilliant production is by Sir. Dan Magic and Bobi’s own Dream Studios.
DISTURBING DEV’T;
But here is what makes the new release politically a very intriguing development for President Museveni who, despite the Bobi growing momentum, is clearly determined to stay course. A testimony to Mr. Wine’s capability to inspire hope and woo over fellow musicians, the video features a number of popular big name musicians few ever expected to ever have guts to participate in a politically controversial project that will predictably unsettle President Museveni and his State machinery. In there, you have Irene Namatovu Lutaaya, Ronald Mayinja, Dr. Hilderman Kiyaga (aka Mazongoto), Irene Ntale (very popular with teenagers), King Saha, Nubian Lee and Wilson Bugembe. Whereas the likes of Mayinja and Hilderman are known for their anti-establishment views, the fact that the rest can boldly participate in such a project (knowing the consequences) is something the Kampala regime must become very sleepless about. That they are willing to take such a risk (associating with Bobi Wine who has clearly distinguished himself as a top opponent to the President) is something that speaks volumes about Mr. Kyagulanyi’s capabilities when it comes to inspiring hope. If this solidarity (already embraced by the likes of Eddie Kenzo, Chameleon etc) continues, the President will have more reason to become remain restless in the New Year. In between them, these stars (previously thought to be Musevenists or too timid to come out openly) command millions of loyal followers and likers both in the virtual space and in real life. Unlike conventional opposition politicians Museveni is used to confronting, the musicians’ appeal is equally felt in Kampala and countryside. Music is one industry that has thrived in Museveni’s Uganda and it will be interesting to see how the NRM government goes about confronting this new frontier for the change struggle without significantly hurting the economy, tourism and generally the country’s image. If one Star Bobi Wine caused so much adversity and global uproar in September with the way he was brutalized along with other leaders during the Arua fracas, how much bad publicity and global condemnation would Kampala endure if security was to simultaneously clamp down on all these stars for their participation in this new music video that is clearly going to dominate music charts? It’s a delicate situation which Museveni clearly won’t easily know how to handle without hurting his reputation as a leader of great experience and profile. But from what we know, from experience having seen how he handled previous challenges, two options remain available to him. One is dangling the carrot and groceries (basically reaching out with money) through emissaries like Catherine Kusasira to soften some of these musicians as part of the broader strategy to isolate and deflate Bobi Wine. In case that fails (as was the case with Ronald Mayiga/the Kiboga saga), then the coercive machinery of the State will have to be unleashed. This could take many forms including crippling each one of them financially (like we have seen with Bobi Wine) or even unleashing URA in case any of them has pending tax obligations. New legislation, aimed at increasing state grip on musicians through regulation, too could be in offing since artistes president Benon Kibuuka recently came out saying the current standoff with Bobi Wine is partly because laws governing music industry are too obsolete having been enacted in the 1940s before Independence. Regulation is something decadent regimes elsewhere (e.g. Cuba) have ably used to either silence critical music voices or even force them to exile in freer Europe and North America. Could Uganda be headed in the same direction? Only time will tell.
THE VIDEO MESSAGE;
Each of the stars in the video was cleverly assigned to convey a message which in brief is as follows: Dr. Hilderman voices condemnation against exploitation of the poor, corruption, teargasing political opponents, graduate unemployment & generally political repression and dictatorship; Irene Ntale voices poor health services-related grievances and Nubian Lee condemns sectarianism in NRM-led Uganda. In the same video, Irene Namatovu Lutaaya (previously known to be apolitical) denounces vote rigging, making the populace powerless, gun rule and general injustices. Others are King Saha who condemns exploitation of poor farmers through market denial and subsequently underpricing of their produce. The least-hitting is Pastor Wilson Bugembe whose message is that as they fight injustice, Ugandans shouldn’t resort to violence but do it peacefully. Away from the lyrics, the images in the video are extremely intriguing. To depict the ideal subordinate military envisaged in the new Uganda Mr. Wine sings, the video carries a clip of a uniformed soldier saluting civilian election victors who the EC has declared winners immediately after conclusion of the polling exercise. Elsewhere are policemen and traffic officers saluting civilian motorists while flashing the V-symbol which Dr. Kizza Besigye has used since 2001 to symbolize political change. The integration of images of big name NRM MPs like Robinah Nabanja dancing with Bobi as if to show triumph of People Power (in the post-Museveni Uganda Bobi Wine sings about) makes the entire video project a master piece. Quite predictably, on their own volition (without any prompting by the State) Ugandan TVs and Radios might (for fear of UCC) be uncomfortable playing the song/video for their audiences but that will only diminish its appeal as opposed to stopping the message from spreading like a bush fire. This will be the case because Ugandans, stingy as they are when it comes to expending their MBs watching videos, are already watching it nonstop besides sharing and inviting social media friends to do the same. Commenting on Mr. Wine’s facebook wall, a People Power supporter calling herself Lillian wa Bobi claims to have watched the video countless times and liking it the more after every subsequent session. Like many other social media followers, she doesn’t seem to regret the MBs or even time being expended on watching the video. This is why in our headline we are wondering how President Museveni (renowned for his political astuteness) is going to handle this new menacing stunt (of a video) pulled off by Bobi. Yet in the written message accompanying the video, Mr. Wine makes the State even more frightened by making reference to a joint opposition platform under which all change-seeking forces are going to confront the NRM government in the New Year. Prior to Mr. Wine’s video release, 2019 being the opposition’s year of political action is something Dr. Besigye and Erias Lukwago (whose home Bobi visited that same video day) had already referred to. What should President Museveni do? What should his reaction be like to counter this new threat to his hard-earned power? For comments, call, text or whatsapp us on 0703164755.
