Singer Catherine Kusasira kneels as she asks the President for assistance during her concert in Kampala in Friday. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL KAKUMIRIZI
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the Chief Guest at Catherine Kusasira’s ‘Tears of a woman’ concert that happened Friday evening at Kampala Serena Hotel.
This is the third time the president is attending a musical concert, the first being at Munyonyo during the launch of the ‘Tubonga Nawe’ campaign in 2015, then Bebe Cool’s ‘Golden Hand concert’ last year before Catherine’s show.
The president, in company of Bebe Cool and promoter Musa Kavuma was introduced as a musician as he took his reserved seat. He received wild cheers from the audience and on two occasions went and tipped Catherine Kusasira on the stage.
— State House Uganda (@StateHouseUg) September 21, 2019
Among the supporting artistes who performed at the event was Ronald Mayinja who excited the audience with his song titled, ‘Bizemu’ (loosely translated as they have repeated), which is believed to be anti-government.
In his speech, President Museveni dismissed the message in Mayinja’s song. He said Mayinja was not right, as nothing had been repeated.
“Singing is good because it’s entertaining and carries a lot of meaning. However, there is someone who has been on the stage and distorted facts saying ‘Bizemu’. He’s not right because the government that we replaced was the one killing people so that is why we went to the bush and took over power,” said the president.
He also called upon the judiciary to be stricter on criminals. He said the murderers should be hanged while rapists and other criminals should not receive bail. “Stop evicting people from land and corruption must stop,” he added.
The president rarely attends concerts, so after seeing him at this particular one, different people used the chance to ask for all kinds of favors.
Because the public refers to her as the minister for condolences, Kusasira asked the president to endorse her for that position while the host Robert Segawa asked the president to buy machines for Golden band because they always rent machines that they use.
He also asked the president to be the first in history to tip an event host to which the president gave him an envelope.
Catherine Kusasira on the other hand told the president that her main reason why she held the concert was to give back to the ladies through her foundation.
“Your Excellency, the main reason I decided to hold this show is because I have a Catherine Kusasira foundation that has over 2,000 ladies. I would appreciate if you lend me a hand in this foundation your excellence,” She pleaded.
The show was highly attended and some of the reputable people in attendance included ministers Florence Nakiwala, Godfery Kiwanda, Kibuule Ronald Honorable and chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa among others.
