Benezeri urges Ugandans to wake up and fight corruption

trueVision Group, in association with Twaweza Initiative and Buzz Events, is seeking to recognise artistes whose compositions advance society. Today, Owen Wagabaza profiles Benezeri Chibita, who is using rap music to tackle corruption

At just 20 years of age, Benezeri Chibita, commonly known as Benezeri, has left every one talking, courtesy of his song Zukuka. It tackles Uganda’s biggest roadblock to development and service delivery, corruption.

On the day of its launch, the video of Zukuka attracted over 2,000 views on YouTube and over 5,000 comments, beating the Uganda Cranes match against Angola the previous day.

Background

Benezeri says he conceived the idea of singing about corruption after reading a lot about it. “In early 2012, while in my S.6, there was misappropriation of Global Fund money.

I was touched since this was money meant to help fight AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis,” he says. It was also not long before Benezeri came face-to-face with corruption. “As I was launching my music career, I tried to distribute my music CD; to several media platforms, radio presenters and club DJs, but they were demanding bribes before they could play my music. It was at this point that I decided to act and the best way was to use my musical talent,” Benezeri says.

Zukuka is an interesting song that is full of positive messages. I call upon other musicians to not only sing about love, but also songs that heal souls. Uganda has so many problems and Zukuka came in at the right time. I highly commend Benezeri

He says corruption not only affects government institutions, but also the entire nation. “All institutions are prone to corruption. Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual, but the former endangers the morals of the entire country. Corruption is the enemy of development and of good governance,” Benezeri says. He calls for an end to corruption.

“Both the Government and the public must come together to achieve this national objective. I strongly feel there are three key societal members, who can make a difference. They are the father, the mother and the teacher,” Benezeri advises. He says on his part, he has vowed never to bribe anyone to play his music. “I would rather listen to my own music than contradict the message in it.”

Impact of ‘Zukuka’

In Zukuka, Benezeri calls upon people to wake up and realise that corruption begins within us. The song tackles the dangers of corruption and why it should be fought at all costs. It also calls upon the youth not to shy away from the issues affecting the country, but get involved in the search for a common and lasting solution.

Zukuka urges the middle class to rise up from their comfort zones and be the voice for the voiceless (rural poor), who Benezeri says are the most affected by corruption. The song’s impact on society has been immense. It has been adopted as the theme song for Black Monday Movement, an anti-graft movement that brings together civil society organisations and other stakeholders to advocate a corruption-free Uganda. Zukuka also inspired The Mirror Concert in November last year, where poets, musicians and artists with society-changing messages,particularly anti-graft, came together to deliver their message to the thousands in attendance.

The concert was free-of-charge. Benezeri says together with Helena Ekiring, Jackie Asiimwe, the coorganisers of the Mirror Concert and the Dream Team (himself and rappers Ruyonga and Big Trill), they will organise The Mirror Concert annually under different themes or problems affecting society at the time.

Benezeri was also invited to perform at the anti-corruption convention at Hotel Africana and before donors. He has also been invited to talk about corruption on several media platforms.

Power of music

Benezeri says the influence of music on society is not debatable. “My purpose is to use positive music to change society,” Benezeri says. On rap music, a genre that is just growing in popularity, Benezeri says they are in the right direction and if they continue to use it for the right reasons, they will change society. He expects to churn out more positive music this year, with a remix of Zukuka in the offing.

Who is Benezeri?

The first of five children, Benezeri was born to Justice Mike Chibita, the director of public prosecutions and Dr. Monica Chibita, the head of Mass Communication department at Uganda Christian University Mukono Despite having high profile parents, Benezeri says they respect his career choice and support him. He attended Aga Khan International School for his primary school education, St. Mary’s College Kitende for his O’level and later Vienna College Namugongo for his A’level. He is currently a second-year student of mass communication at Uganda Christian University Mukono

INSPIRED BY BENEZERI

Bashir Nsubuga, a sales executive, MTN

The message in Zukuka is the one we need in the current generation. Corruption is at its peak. More musicians should emulate Benezeri and sing about corruption

Josh Opio, a student

I love Benezeri’s songs, especially Zukuka. When you listen to Zukuka, you hear a passionate call against corruption. Aside from his music being catchy, it has positive messages

Ronald Wasswa, a truck driver

I do not listen to rap music, but when I heard Zukuka, I fell in love with the song, especially its message against corruption. I have since downloaded it to my phone. Young as Benezeri is, one wonders how he comes up with music, which has mature messages.

Ramathan Wanume, a businessman

Zukuka is an interesting song that is full of positive messages. I call upon other musicians to not only sing about love, but also songs that heal souls. Uganda has so many problems and Zukuka came in at the right time. I highly commend Benezeri

To Nominate

Write to features@newvision.co.ug You can also nominate via SMS type MUSIC (leave space) name of artiste (space) song and send to 8338. Alternatively, write to the Features Editor, P.O. Box 9815, Kampala or drop your nominations at any of the Vision Group bureau offices countrywide. Nominations close on January 15, 2014

To qualify for nomination, the musician should meet the following requirements;
❑ Be Ugandan
❑ The composition must be original and not pirated
❑ Have innovatively used their musical composition to convey deliberate messages advocating for positive change
❑ Have used their music to mobilise the masses to demand for accountability or for a community cause.
❑ Used their music to highlight societal ills like corruption, poor governance, poor service delivery, oppression and human rights abuses