I will be back, says Chaka Chaka
Yvonne Chaka Chaka, the South African legendary musician, has vowed to return to Uganda and perform after she was deported by immigration and security officials on New Year’s Eve.
Chaka Chaka, also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, was slated to perform before Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi at Enkuuku, an annual end of year music gala organised by Buganda, when she was arrested and later deported on allegations that she did not have a work permit.
“I can assure you. I will come back to Uganda and perform. This is my motherland,” Chaka Chaka tweeted.
Her deportation has been condemned by Opposition leaders and musicians.
Many people on social media attributed it to her earlier declaration that Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, who announced that he will stand for president in 2021, a second Nelson Mandela in Africa.
Mandela was the first black President for South Africa and he is renowned for fighting dictatorship in his country and around the world.
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Ms Jefina Ochwo responded to one of her tweets saying: “So sorry about this. We, Ugandans, love you and cherish your music. The behaviour of our immigration, police and other authorities, doesn’t reflect on the feelings of your Ugandan fans towards you. Again, I apologise.”Posts
Bobi Wine said the deportation of Chaka Chaka was her support for his political struggle.
“Our friends from abroad have attracted the wrath of the state for openly supporting our struggle for freedom. Today (New Year’s Eve) international icon Chaka Chaka was deported from Uganda.
Whatever reasons the security agencies give, we all know the regime is afraid of her songs of freedom,” Bobi Wine said.
Dr Kizza Besigye, an Opposition activist, said the deportation of Chaka Chaka is a fight for regime survival of President Museveni and his NRM party.
On New Year’s Eve, President Museveni met Congolese musician Kanda Bongo Man, who had been hired by an NRM supporter Balam Barugahare.
Bongo Man told the President how he had suffered xenophobic in South Africa and relocated to United Kingdom. President Museveni described xenophobia as a total shame.
“This is a total shame because the majority of the present South Africans originated from Cameroon. In Uganda, however, nobody can talk against a fellow African because it isn’t the way of our culture,” he said.
Abtex Promoter Abbey Musinguzi, who closely works with Bobi Wine, said they informed the security agencies and South African High Commission in time about Chaka Chaka performance in Uganda. He described the government act as political.
Mr Aloysius Matovu Joy Junior, the spokesman of Abtex Promotions, said the deportation of Chaka Chaka is a huge loss.
“We have paid Chaka Chaka $40,000 (Shs146m), spent on air tickets and hotel bills for her, her two children and a DJ. She charged us less by US$10,000 what she normally charge on international tours because she wanted to sing for Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi,” Mr Matovu said.
