Talk. Bobi Wine (left) addresses the media to announce his concert at Busabala on Easter Monday as fellow musicians Nubian Lee and promoter Abby Musinguzi look on in Kamwokya, Kampala on April 16, 2019. PHOTO BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
KAMPALA. Police have finally okayed Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine to continue with plans for his Easter shows but set strict rules as guidance.
Police director of operations, Mr Asuman Mugenyi’s letter dated April 15 was addressed to Bobi Wine’s promoters, Abitex management gives stringent rules to be followed.
“Police has taken note of your intended events, however for comprehensive security planning, there is need for the following information from you the organisers; clearances to use the intended venue, detailed programme for each activity and lists of performers at each venue,” the letter reads in part.
Last week, Bobi Wine said he had not received police clearance for his Easter music shows but vowed to go ahead with arrangements to hold the shows in Kampala and upcountry saying he had sent them notification more than a month ago.
Mr Kyagulanyi said he notified police in time to deny them the legroom to have excuses of not being notified, as it has been the case on several occasions when they blocked his shows.
In response, police did not come clean on whether they had received Bobi’s letter of notification or not as the deputy police spokesperson, Ms Polly Namaye, referred us to Kampala Metropolitan Police to comment on the matter.
“This matter should be handled by the Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson,” she said.
In the letter today, Bobi Wine was also asked to give the expected number of revellers for each of the events, measures put in place for crowd control, proposed traffic management among other requirements.
On Easter Monday, Bobi Wine will perform at his One Love Beach in Busabala, Wakiso District. He will then perform in Lira on May 3, Arua on May 4 and Gulu on May 5.
Organisers say police’s green light comes as a relief to Bobi Wine because many times in the past, Police have banned or blocked his shows on the last day claiming he has not notified them in writing or had informed them late and that they had not authorised the shows.
Last year, police accused Bobi Wine of failing to notify them in time and blocked his show on Boxing Day at the last minute.
The same show had been previously blocked at Mandela National Stadium with claims that the stadium had been earlier booked for a wedding function.
In 2018, Bobi Wine’s show that was meant to take place in Bukoto in Kampala was also blocked at the last moment.