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While his message might have been well intentioned, Segawa said artists took issue with the tone that the musician and opposition leader used.
As he gave guidance on what artists need to do to fight for their industry, Segawa said Bobi Wine sounded like he was “barking” at them, which many found disrespectful.
“I wish to help him out because he is a fellow artist; the way he carries out his heated political address, when he is talking to us he needs to tone it down,” Segawa said in a recent interview.
“He seems like he is barking at artists; like he is ordering around us, yet we consider him to be one of us. He is expected to come in peace and sit on the table and we discuss. That is where the fireworks started.”
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Bobi Wine was attacked ferociously by members of the Uganda National Musicians Federation led by President Eddy Kenzo, accusing him of likening them to beggars.
In his remarks, Wine had cautioned artists on accepting handouts from the Government. He warned that such handouts are meant to deviate them from demanding for better laws and policies that will advance their cause, such as the law on Copyright which the government has delayed to pass.
He said, “as artists, you don't need handouts; what you need is the government's political will…These shadowy meetings they call you for where they give you 2 million shillings each, that is meant to stupefy you. The government has no interest in seeing you rich because when you are rich you will not need to kneel before Muhoozi or Museveni.”
Kenzo however, deemed these remarks as disingenuous and ironic given that Wine, through his opposition party, is receiving money from the same government. He wondered why they accepted the money and did not donate it.
“Those who call us beggars are included in the national budget every year. They get a monthly salary and they have never donated it…you get your salaries from the government which you say you are fighting,” Kenzo’s statement reads in part.