Mr. Kyagulanyi is expected to be among the host of performers at the Enkuuka (grand concert), the biggest end of year party in Uganda on New Year’s Eve.
“We are having background meetings with the organisers and we have planned for yet another meeting. Police gave the go-ahead a long time ago and Bobi Wine is not a factor, so when he comes he will perform,” police spokesman Emilian Kayima told TheEastAfrican.
Enkuuka is not only one of the biggest end of year party in Uganda, but has since inception been graced by Buganda monarch Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, whose kingdom itself has had several run-ins with the government.
Bobi Wine, who since being elected Member of Parliament in 2017 has become a thorn in the flesh of the regime, has had at least half a dozen shows cancelled at the last minute in the past three months, with police arguing that the concerts did not meet sections of the Public Order Management Act.
The latest case being when the police blocked Bobi Wine’s concert at One Love Beach on December 26, by firing teargas canisters and spraying the revellers that had turned up early with water cannons.
At a media conference on December 27, Luba Events director Moses Lubuulwa warned that Bobi Wine should desist from playing politics, and his fans should not don red colours.
Mr Lubuulwa emphasised that Bobi Wine was invited to perform as an artiste and not a politician.
“This is not his show but a show for the Kabaka,” he told the media conference.
Abbey Musinguzi of Abitex Ltd, however, urged people to wear any colours of their choice, though he cautioned Bobi Wine not to play politics at an entertainment event.
Fellow singers have however insisted that no one can dictate what colour revellers can choose to wear.
“There is no dress code that has been legalised to be worn by any political party so you cannot criminalise people for wearing what they want. If that is the case, then some colours should be gazetted to be worn as dress codes. We have to be ourselves,” said Kampala-based musician Ronald Mayinja.
Meanwhile, despite the security assurances public apprehension is growing that the show could be interrupted by the police.
“I hope that they will not disrupt Enkuuka, but let us wait and see because I cannot predict the future,” said Mr Mayinja.
Telecom giant MTN Uganda is sponsoring the end of year concert at Lubiri that is being jointly organised by Luba Events and Abitex Ltd.
