Mesach Ssemakula hits out at artists using Master Parrot's death for attention

Veteran Ugandan musician Mesach Ssemakula has spoken out against criticism directed at senior artists following the death of fellow musician Master Parrot (David Sifaayo).

Ssemakula was responding to comments made by gospel artist Denis Lanek during Master Parrot's vigil on the night of June 3, 2026, in Kiwatule, Kampala. Lanek criticized several veteran musicians for allegedly failing to support Master Parrot during his lifetime and after his death.

"Where is Chameleone? Where is Ronald Mayinja? They failed to help him when he was still alive, and even now that he is dead, they have not turned up. Where is Mesach Ssemakula? Those are the old people we would even learn from, but they are not here at all," Lanek said.

On June 1, 2026, Master Parrot was knocked down by a speeding vehicle while attempting to cross the road near Masanafu along the Kampala Northern Bypass. He succumbed to his injuries and was laid to rest on June 4, 2026, at his ancestral home in Mpigi District, where numerous musicians gathered to pay their last respects.

Speaking in an interview, Ssemakula expressed disappointment with those he accused of using Master Parrot's death to seek attention by criticizing fellow artists. He emphasized that musicians are not specifically designated to take care of others throughout their lives.

Ssemakula revealed that he helped mobilize a committee and participated in fundraising for the funeral arrangements. However, because he did not publicize his contributions on social media, some assumed he had done nothing.

"If you get the news, do what you can. It is not our profession to look after people," he said. "We had a meeting and collected the money used to do all this. But some musicians sit behind cameras calling us out, yet they were not even there."

He urged musicians to stop entitlement and start supporting one another. "If you want to be helped during difficult times, please help others when they face problems as well. Even if you do not have money, at least contribute by doing necessary work such as slashing, digging the grave, and other tasks."

Ssemakula added that artists sometimes fear attending burials because of negative treatment. "We attend not because we are big stars; we attend because we are hurt and have lost a fellow artist. Whenever you want people to stand with you, you should also get involved in other people's issues. They will give back what you give."