At the 25th Coronation anniversary of the Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, Kyandodo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly know by his Stage name Bobi Wine, was spotted reading Nelson Mandela’s book; ‘The Long walk to freedom.’
Taken by a freelance photographer Tab Ku Camera, the photo shows Bobi Wine reading a book, seated next to Mukono County South John Muyanja Ssenyonga and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago who were paying attention to the events of the day.
The photo, which is making rounds on social media, has irked many, with some describing him as an attention seeker.
“So Bobi Wine couldn’t find any other time to read this novel. Just seeking attention all the time. No one can read such a novel in all that noise. Ate disrespecting the kabaka,” a one Bella Kalungi posted in Ugandans at Heart, a group comprised of mostly Ugandans in the diaspora.
Philip Matogo shared the story on his profile with a caption; “Top-flight politician Bobi Wine is reading with shades on because when you read Mandela, the words give forth rays of hope that could be blinding to the naked eye.
Then again, the shades tint the words so completely that Bobi might think he’s reading Darkness At Noon.”
For Dennis Asiimwe, an events manager, what Bobi Wine did was an epic public relations fail.
“Epic PR fail. ‘Read’ (or is it ‘lead’) us into the light, eh? It seems absurdity is catching when you decide to become a politician…
…and yes, I am waiting for a fresh bunch of “You leave our man alone!” louts to hit my wall with their indignant nonsense. I will have you for lunch, gibbering cunts,” his post on Facebook reads.
On Twitter, Presidential Press secretary Don wanyama wrote, “ When you try too hard! This is to say what was happening at Jubilewo yesterday was not worth @HeBobiwine’s attention… Forget the fact that he is looking for attention anyway. PR gone bad.”
Lucas Potus Tambiti said, “But who reads at a function? That Nigga’s love for cheap popularity baffles me.”
Pesh Ahumuza, “He doesn’t respect the Kabaka. How can he read during Jubireewo of all functions?!”
However, one of Bobi Wine’s fans, Richard Mukasa was quick to defend the Musician, turned politician.
“I wish you were an ardent reader, you could possibly understand the vibration of a readers mental plates. The inward vibrational frequencies are always higher compared to the external interference,” he said.