Bobi Wine declines to cut cake with Mayiga

PIC: MP Kyagulanyi delivered a speech at Kinaawa High School after leaving Gayaza Junior School. (Credit: Ashraf Kasirye)

FUNCTION

GAYAZA - Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, best known as Bobi Wine, turned heads on Saturday when he declined to join Buganda premier Charles Peter Mayiga for cake-cutting formalities.

When he was called forward, the musician-turned-legislator simply walked off.

This was at Gayaza Junior School's Gayaza Day celebrations. Kyagulanyi had been invited as the area representative in parliament.

It was an awkward moment for the master of ceremony, who had called up the two leaders for the cutting of the cake.

Katikiro Mayiga ended up cutting the cake joined by his wife Margaret and other school leaders.

Katikiro Mayiga and wife Margaret have a moment with the pupils of Gayaza Junior School. (Credit: Ashraf Kasirye)

It's not clear why Kyagulanyi refused to join in on the cake-cutting, usually a much-awaited moment at most functions.

In April this year, there developed friction between Kyagulanyi, then not yet an MP, and Buganda kingdom over a piece of land in Busabala, where his One Love Beach is.

The kingdom claimed Kyagulanyi occupied the contentious piece of land illegally, yet he insisted he had acquired it through the right channels. As such, Kyagulanyi wanted audience with Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II himself over the matter.

Meanwhile, after leaving the function on Saturday, he proceeded to Kinaawa High School in Kasangati where he had been invited as chief guest for the school's Music Dance and Drama (MDD) competitions.

There he was warmly welcomed, planted a memorial tree, was entertained by students, and later delivered a speech.

Kyagulanyi called for more emphasis on talent search and support  among students by teachers, citing himself as a living example.

He is no stranger to MDD as he graduated from Makerere University with a bachelor's degree in Music Dance and Drama.

"My father didn't want me to be an artist, but I took it up because it was the only avenue I could use to contribute to the development of my country. Eventually my father accepted what I could do through music and he supported me.

"This is the call I am making to you teachers," he said in his delivery.

Here, MP Kyagulanyi poses with staff of Kanaawa High School. (Credit: Ashraf Kasirye)

Back at Gayaza Junior School, Katikiro Mayiga underscored the benefits of educating the girl child.

He said that in underdeveloped communities, individuals still discriminate against especially girls when it comes to education, adding that on the contrary, the kingdom of Buganda is interested and determined to invest in the overall development of a woman.

He singled out nine benefits of educating the girl child:

1. Getting liberated and ensuring that their children also get educated

2. Becoming economically empowered

3. Earning dignity and honor

4. Becoming more likely to participate in political discourse and decision making

5. Is one to curb maternal and child mortality rates

6. Helps postpone child marriages until one is fully grown and in a better position to take care of one's child/children

7. Developing confidence and self-esteem

8. Curbing human trafficking considering that most victims are uneducated and are girls

9. Exposes women to diversity

Katikiro Mayiga presents an Award of Recognition to the Head Girl of Gayaza Junior School Nakimuli Esther Kirabo for her outstanding conduct and performance. (Credit: Ashraf Kasirye)