Ugandan singer, businessman and politician Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu best known as Bobi Wine has once again been denied access to the Mandela National Stadium.
The singer’s preparations to hold his much anticipated Kyarenga Concert have been frustrated once again after Mandela National Stadium also known as Namboole Stadium withdrew their offer to host him on November 9 2018 as agreed a week ago.
Namboole management was forced to breach the contract they signed with Emma Sseruga, Director of Emma Promotions and Marketing Agency that is organizing the concert, by Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA).
The concert promoters were informed through a letter from Namboole management signed by General Manager Jamil Sewanyana Mpagi dated October 19 2018, in which they expressed their regret at not being able to host the show on November 9.
Namboole cited what they termed as a complaint from ‘our stakeholder in sports development-FUFA that raised concerns of national character.
“Mandela National Stadium is under a ‘red flag’. Confederation of African Football (CAF) is keenly observing the condition of the stadium as a key competition for the forthcoming AFCON Camroon-2019 qualifier football match.
Should the event be hosted, the stadium will be put into unacceptable standard that may result into CAF docking points from Uganda Cranes and hence failing to qualify for the AFCON Cameroon-2019 finals as well as being banned from hosting international football matches” reads a statement from Namboole to organizers of Kyarenga Concert who have been advised to seen an alternative.
On 17 October 2018, FUFA CEO Edgar Watson Suubi wrote to Management of the facility urging them to call off hosting the rescheduled show to avoid sabotaging Uganda Cranes’ chances of qualifying for AFCON finals next year.
“It has come to the Federation notice, that Mandela national stadium management has entered into an engagement to have a public event take place on 9th November 2018 within the stadium.” reads the FUFA letter signed by Edgar Watson.
Meanwhile Bobi Wine has used social media site Twitter to warn FUFA and Namboole that Ugandans are watching the ‘dirty games’ they are playing.
“To Namboole stadium admins, FUFA officials used in such dirty games, know that Ugandans are watching. NO matter how much pressure you get from the regime, always do your job without fear or favor. Positions you hold are public ones & you must never use them against the people” Bobi Wine Twitted.
The singer turned legislator has since vowed not to let this put him down as he and his team are exploring other options (venue) to host the concert.
“Regarding the concert, the good news is that we are actively looking at different options and will communicate very soon. What I know is that whether Namboole or not, we shall hold the KYARENGA album launch pretty soon,” Bobi Wine is quoted to have said.
