“I hope that the proponents of Homosexuality that pride themselves in their liberalism and support for human rights, will allow me my right of expression much as they may not be comfortable with my opinion,” reads part of singer Bobi Wine’s statement.

In a statement, which many believe is a reaction about him being denied a visa to perform in the UK, Bobi Wine requests gays and their sympathisers to respect Uganda’s sovereignty status.

“Uganda is a democratic country and I do not make the laws. However, It’s my duty as a Law abiding citizen to adhere to the laws as required by the constitution. A few months ago, the president of Uganda after extensive research and consultation, assented to the anti-homosexuality act and 99% of Ugandans were in support.”
The self styled Ghetto president adds that the sympathisers have misinterpreted the law to mean that Uganda wants to kill homosexuals yet the biggest punishment for the offenders (aggravated homosexuality with a minor where the offender is HIV positive) is life imprisonment and not death.

He further says that the intension of the Act is to stop promotion and exhibition of homosexual practices so as to create standard behaviour for all Ugandans.

“I am personally not out to threaten the life of anyone based on their sexual Orientation. I just DO NOT agree with them.This is my opinion and happens to be that of 99% Ugandans/Africans basing on our culture, religion and constitution.”

“Freedom should not compromise intergenerational equity and human rights should not be an excuse for acts that are counter societal progress.I completely fail to understand the pride and why the gays are so happy about it. If my opinion makes me third world, then am happy to be.”

Bobi Wine goes on to applaud the president for having assented to the law, saying that what the president did was right because it not fair when one tries to “arm-twist” society to legalise bad habits for the sake of aid. “We just can’t compromise our Values and Dignity.”

His statement comes on the foot heels of reports that the singer was denied a visa to perform in the UK, where he was to perform this month.

Since the signing of the bill into law by the president, a number of government officials were June barred from entering the US territories, justifying the action by claiming to be countering violation of human rights.

The US also cancelled a military exercise with the country and cut funds to a number of joint programs.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni February signed the bill that calls for homosexuals to be imprisoned for life. It outlaws the promotion of homosexuality and obligates people to report gays to authorities.

The Jinja Road based Club, Rouge has been closed again for the second time this year and renovation is not any of the reasons this time.

The fight for the ownership of the Club is the reason behind the closure of the once biggest night spot in the country.

According to a staff member who has worked under the three different owners of the Club, Rouge was closed as a result of failure to pay rent of the building which houses the it.

This comes amid denials from the Club’s management which last week maintained that they had only closed down because it was a fasting period and there was limited business. But when they failed to open up shop even on Idd day celebrations, the source admitted the club is closed.

The source attributes the Club’s troubles to former owner, suspected internet fraudster, Ronald Muramuzi.

“Muramuzi bought the club from then owner, Spear Abohe at a price of Shs300million in March this year.He went on to renovate it to make it meet the standards of the rest of the top clubs in Kampala. However, Muramuzi was arrested before the club was re-opened,” says the source.

While in jail, he asked to settle some of his creditors out of court and rally ace and city engineer, a one Keneth Ntalo was one of them. Since he owed a lot of money to Ntalo, Muramuzi decided to settle the former with the Club and all the necessary transfers were done while he was still in jail.

However, on coming out of jail, he wants his club back, saying he was forced to sign the transfer papers. He says he is ready to pay back Ntalo’s debts in a period of three months and it is this reason that Ntalo has refused to pay rent.

On his part, Ntalo reportedly says he can’t pay rent for the club that he is to hand over to the owner anytime. He also threatens to drag Muramuzi to court if he fails to pay by the end of the month period.

The Club was closed by city tycoon, Sudhir Repularia, who owns the building. The owners of Rouge reportedly owe him rental arrears amounting to Shs26 million.

How Muramuzi Lost Club Rouge

Muramuzi early this year bought several properties among which included, Club Rouge, Dynasty Newspaper and several buildings with the city.

However, his luck ran out when Telexfree, which he worked for closed down. But as investigations went on, it was discovered that everything was going in his favour until when he was arrested on suspicion of fraud. But during investigations, it was discovered that the scam was actually bigger than Telexfree.

It is alleged that Muramuzi through his companies like; TESCO FREE, Addfast Inc, Telex free, Bank Electro, United Hype League and Massive Ads .Com, he had opened under different names, fleeced money from over 600 people amounting to over Shs4 Billion.

He is currently facing two counts of obtaining Shs500 million from one John Bosco Muhiirwe, the director of Mixed Links, purporting to take youth for jobs abroad.

Muramuza is out of jail on a court bond .

Lyrical G alias Jeff Kintu is one of the pioneers of Hip Hop in Uganda. He was the biggest name in the early 2000s before the likes of Klear Kut, Baboon Forest, Keko and others joined the industry. He’s also a double Pearl of Africa Music award winner. However, the rapper in the recent years has kept a low profile. The Uganda Today caught up with him to find out what he is up to.

You were among the first people to rap in English in Uganda but less has been heard from you. where have you been?

Same old; making music, growing and continuing to make my contribution to the industry.Is that what you refer to as less has been from me? I have always put up an album every yr and I am still one of the names mentioned whenever authentic hip hop in Uganda is brought up. Fatherhood is the other thing that has taken up my time, But primarily music is the main thing. 

What do you have to say about the of hip hop music trend in Uganda?

Look at where we have come from…When I first came out as a rapper in English, they said English rappers wouldn’t get far. Now we got artistes signed to different labels…what can I say apart from saying I was among the first ones to do it.

Why is it that new entrants are having the biggest share of the industry than the pioneers?

I think it has a lot to do with tastes and  preferences. The newer rappers follow the YMCB trend and others in the same line which their peers are stuck on while the folks in my age group are into a different sound/style altogether. But the biggest reason is that the rap game in the country isn’t about the fundamentals anymore; lyricism, consciousness, positivity, awareness, etc.  it is more about money and things that the younger generation are fascinated with.

So, should we expect a change of style from you, so as to suit the current revered style?

I will never compromise my style irrespective of the changes in the industry. I’ve always believed that realness was about staying true to what you believe in. Hip hop to me is much more than rapping It’s deeper than rap! I think you see that in my music. it was never about acquiring wealth but  rather to preach good to the people.

There are so many feuds in the music industry but you haven’t been reported in any, what is your trick?

To many artistes, I’m looked at me as their elder brother and thus they respect me to a certain degree. I would d rather maintain peace than engage in a senseless feud with so and so. Besides, I am too grown for all that and I got a lot of other things to pursue.

Who are some of the biggest names you have worked with?

I worked with South Africa rapper Proverb on a song for a documentary, Squoggy Bear from California, Typical Fefe & Tyonne from Barbados, Outrageous Records in South Africa and other indie acts in UK, Tanzania and Canada.

That sounds quite a number of foreign artists, where do you produce your songs from?

I have worked with a lot of producers at various studios; Steve Jean, Dawoo, Aydee, Benon, Lamara,GK, Yego, Urban Aksent and Uncle Denno.

Actually my new album was entirely produced by myself and recorded it at Audio Central Productions in Ntinda. 

Where do you see the Hip Hop industry in the next 5 years?

The next 5 years are going to be hectic in industry. A lot of acts are coming up and people are starting to pay attention to quality. I see a lot of acts struggling to state their case because of poor quality releases. It will only those that making quality music who will benefit.

Where do you see yourself in the next 10 years.

10years from now, I see myself still involved in the music industry, either as an artiste, producer or music label head…music is, and will always b part of my life.

What is your advice to aspiring rappers?

My advice to any1 aspiring to become a rapper is stay true to yourself and the game (hip Hop). Pray and work hard because nothing comes easy!

I think even participation in competitions of any kind are good as they expose talent. End Of Da Weak and Nokia Don’t Break The Beat have helped several rappers come to the forefront. Through such competitions, younger rappers have been able to travel the world to compete on the big stage.

Any last words……….

Yeah, like I said, I release an album every year and this year is no different. Be on the lookout for my 8th studio album ‘Feel Good Music’ coming out any time from now. Go pick a copy of my new album Feel Good Music in stores July 2014.

Support good Ugandan hip hop music…GMC is a movement.