While addressing mourners at the late Kato Lubwama’s final sendoff in Nkozi Mpigi, former musician turned politician Robert Kyaguanyi advised fellow artists to avoid receiving government handouts as a boost to their careers in the sector.
“How much is 30 billion shillings?” “I appeal to you, fellow artists, to work for your own money instead of accepting government handouts that will not help you boost your finances or advance in your career,” Bobi Wine added.
He also warned them against fleeing to the government to beg, rather than focusing on their talents to enable them to make a living.
“I highly doubt that the government has your best interests at heart as artists, what they are giving you is just pea-nuts. As artists, you should strive to earn from your own sweat like some of us have done. I relied on my voice; that is what has made me who I am today,” Bobi Wine said.
However, several artists were not pleased with Bobi Wine’s words, and they went on to question the source of his money, despite the fact that he has not been actively involved in music for some time since he entered politics.
The enraged artists criticized Bobi Wine for being selfish and wanting to prosper alone, despite the fact that, as citizens, they are entitled to government assistance.
“We can’t imagine Bobi Wine’s level of selfishness; he has received a lot of money from the government, developed himself and his family, and now he refuses to help anyone. “We know how he used to stand outside Salim Saleh’s house for handouts, and now he wants us to reject what is rightfully ours,” a group of outraged artists stated.
Mourners and creatives were left wondering why it should be an issue for Bobi Wine for the government to fulfill its responsibilities by caring for its citizens. Many stated that they felt he was being nefarious and selfish.