Singer, presidential advisor, and President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), Eddy Kenzo, has opened up about why he has never intervened in Bobi Wine’s ongoing performance ban.
A few years ago, the Ugandan government, under President Yoweri Museveni, barred Bobi Wine a prominent opposition leader and musician from holding concerts in the country.
Authorities accused him of criticizing Uganda on international platforms while attempting to earn from performances back home.
During an interview on a local TV station, Kenzo was asked whether he had ever appealed to President Museveni to lift the ban on Bobi Wine, who also leads the National Unity Platform (NUP) and Firebase Crew.
Kenzo responded firmly, saying he would never advise the President to show leniency towards someone who actively works to unseat him.
He described Bobi Wine’s stage presence as a powerful political tool, often used to rally support against the government.
“I’ve never asked President Museveni to lift Bobi Wine’s performance ban. How could I? Bobi Wine uses the stage as his main weapon his ‘bullet’ to challenge the President. I’m not naive enough to ask Museveni to empower someone who’s openly working to remove him from power,” Eddy Kenzo said.
He further noted that Bobi Wine’s political messaging during his performances was a key reason for the government crackdown.
Bobi Wine has been absent from the stage for several years, and most fellow musicians have remained silent on the issue. While a few voices have questioned the continued ban, others believe that Bobi Wine blurred the lines between politics and music, effectively shaping his own fate.
