Parliament has ordered the Prime Minister, Ruhakana Rugunda to explain whether Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine is not allowed to practice his profession as a performing artiste since his numerous shows have severally been stopped by Police.
The order was made by the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga following a complaint raised by Bobi Wine over the repeated cancellation of his music shows by Police as well as prohibiting organizers from holding music events at his beach in Busabala.
During his submission, the legislator and singer wondered why he could not be allowed to practice his music profession.
Kyagulanyi said that he survives on his music career and holding music concerts through which he employs many people.
He said that preventing him from holding concerts as well as stopping other event organizers from hiring his premises is a total violation of his rights since this is his profession just like other politicians who still practice their other professions.
Bobi Wine further submitted that he has been barred from attending church citing recent incidents including one in Kungulumira where he was denied access by Police to attend mass in addition to unleashing teargas on the masses.
“My place called One Love beach has come under attack because Police has told promoters not to host shows there. On the 9th of this month, we were supposed to hold a show there but the organizers were blocked by the Police,” the singer told the House.
“Apart from shows, I am not even to attend church. On December 9, I was supposed to attend mass in Kangulumira but the congregation was teargassed and the reason was that I was in that mass,” the Kyadondo East MP added.
He cited another incident on Kyagulanyi on Sunday December 16 where he was supposed to attend mass in Lugazi but the church was surrounded by Police and the people were beaten. He could not proceed to attend the mass, he told Parliament.
“It is my prayer that Parliament reigns on Police and all security organs to stop abusing the laws of this land”.
In response, the Minister of Security, Gen. Elly Tumwine said that Kyadondo the stopping of some of Bobi Wine’s concert by security was part of the singer’s occupational hazards which he should bear with .
Tumwine told the House that when Bobi Wine had just joined Parliament, he (Gen Tumwine) cautioned him on balancing his profession as a musician and a politician.
However, Gen Tumwine’s submission did not sit well with a section of legislators and was later put to order by the Speaker.
The Speaker in her ruling ordered the Prime Minister to respond to Bobi Wine’s concerns at an appropriate time.
