Singer Moses Ssali also known as Bebe Cool has announced a suspension of his public performances following an incident in which he was attacked and forced off stage during a show on Friday.
The ‘Kamwako’ singer on Friday faced the wrath of angry revellers at the Tarrus Riley -Swangz Avenue- All Star concert at Lugogo when they hurled stones, insults and bottles when he stepped on stage to sing.
His appearance lasted only 30 seconds before he was forced off the stage by the revellers with the protection of the police, who were chanting “People Power, Our Power” a slogan commonly used by Bobi Wine.
However in a missive on Sunday afternoon, the singer who also openly boasts of being a supporter of President Museveni announced he had put a halt onto his public performances for his own safety and that of his family.
“For the safety of myself, family, friends and fans, I regrettably would like to announce that I will not be making any public performances until further notice,”Bebe Cool said in a statement posted on his social media accounts.
The self-proclaimed ‘Big Size’ is very close to President Museveni but on the other side a strong critic of MP Robert Kyagulanyi also known as Bobi Wine and has on many occasions been on the wrong side of the latter’s fans.
In the Sunday missive, the singer explained that having been in Uganda’s music industry for more than 20 years makes him proud to say he has made a great contribution to the development of the entertainment industry both locally, regionally and on a continental level.
He explained that it gives him more pride seeing young musicians, comedians and promoters among other people making a kill out of Uganda’s entertainment industry.
“The current fruits from this industry would not have existed if Uganda did not have peace, freedom, tranquility and tolerance for each other’s religious, political and cultural beliefs,” he said.
While forcing him off stage on Friday, the revelers asked Bebe Cool to go and sing for Museveni and not them because they were not interested in his music but in response, the flamboyant singer said he was not bothered by their insults before warning that they were sending misguided missiles to him for nothing.
“They are not throwing those bottles to me because they hate me. They are only sending a message to me but it is right message to a wrong person. Ugandans must be told that there is a day to practice your democracy .The ballot box is not on stage at a concert and Uganda does not stop in Kampala.”
In his Sunday missive, the singer insisted that intolerance and violence have no place in Uganda adding that it was wrong for revellers to pelt him with bottles and stones over his divergent political views.
“My prayer is that the current situation in our beloved country doesn't deteriorate into an unfortunate state. For God and my Country,” he noted.