We have no money for fees - musicians

Earlier this week, Government agreed to have schools re-open after the President ordered the closure of all education institutes about five months back, as one of the measures to control the spread of Covid-19.
 
On September 20, candidate classes will resume. Later one, other pupils and students will return to school in a phased manner.

On the reporting day, there will be a mandatory testing of both staff and students and each student will be required to report with at least four reusable masks.   
 
That is good news for school owners, teachers, students and parents - some parents. Most musicians and people in the entertainment business have expressed concern about the planned re-opening of schools.

Having been out of work since March, they are appealing to Government to keep schools closed until their businesses are re-opened. A few of them will rely on spousal support. Bebe Cool is looking at Zuena to pay school fees for their children when studies resume.

Eddy Kenzo is going to leave ex-girlfriend and now wife of Dr. Hamza Sebunya to pay Aamal's school fees. There are sounds of bruised egos and desperation.  
 
Moses Ssali alias Bebe Cool is a father of six children, and there are more who depend on him. He believes that this year should be declared as a dead one because it will be hard for the masses to prevent the spread of the virus.

"I do not think the government should rush and open schools. We have seen what is happening in China, the virus is real. In case they open, I will have no option but to make sure my children are back at school, he says.
 
How he will make sure is the puzzling question for him. He says that this has been one of the hardest times in his life because he has a big family to take care of and he has not performed at any show in four months. "I am glad that my wife is a business woman, who does decorations and cake, so I am sure she has saved something to start with incase schools are opened," he offered.
 
Fortunately for musician Spice Diana, the Covid-19 times have been a blessing in disguise to her. She says she has signed more deals than ever before and in case they open schools she will be able to pay for her two younger siblings; one a third year university student and the other in S.3.  

"God has been good to me, I have signed many deals and I have performed on people's scientific weddings and introductions. I have saved some money. I am surely not the richest but I am definitely not complaining," she said, in a tone of conviction.  
 
Others like media personality Mosh Ssendi alias Mr. Mosh are not that fortunate. He is a student at Cavendish University and at the same time father to an S.4 candidate. He reasons that there is absolutely nothing to do in school now since we are waiting for elections.
 
"A lot  has already been lost. How are they going to pump all that stuff into the heads of our children in such a short period of time? As a parent I do not even have the money for tuition, all I can afford are other essentials like food and medication, let tuition matters be handled next year," he begs.  
 
According to Brenda (not real name) a freelance journalist, and a mother of twins aged 10, this year should be a dead one.

"My husband lost his job due to Covid, he is a celebrated event's organizer and city MC. I have been the breadwinner since March and right now the money we have is just enough to take care of us, as a family. For each of my children, I pay almost sh2m in school fees. Opening schools right now will imply that I change their school or I look for a cheaper school, she sadly said.  
 
Hillary Mutebi a gym instructor at KashGym at Bukasa Muyega has been worried ever since he learnt that schools might open soon.

The father of two (one in primary, another in secondary school) thinks going back to school is just a scheme by government officials since some of them own schools and just want money.

He argues that a dead year should be declared such that parents get time to look for money to pay fees. "I think measures can be put in place to curb the so read of the virus, but where is the money to take our children back to school?

Gyms are still closed and up to now I am still depending on savings, I do not have money for tuition and requirements for my child," he reveals.   

Nutty Neithan agrees with Mutebi, he is in for a dead year. "This will end up becoming the worst academic year in history,  it is not even about money for fees, as a parent I cannot fail to get money for their tuition but  time has run out and nothing productive will yield from that," he said.  
 
BET award winner and popular "whinner" Eddy Kenzo is worried about his children not progressing to other classes. He is however also worried about his source of school fees.

He explains that he is not financially stable since he spent a lot of money while locked in Ivory Coast. Kenzo asks government to engage schools to make sure that school fees becomes affordable under the circumstances.  
 
He places hope in his baby mamas. "I am hoping for the best since my baby mothers are hardworking women, who are always there to help.

In case I do not have money, Rema will pay for Aamal, at least for her she has been performing at weddings," he said.

Rema is currently a wife of Hamza Sebunya, a medical doctor. And since he too has probably been working, Kenzo is looking at the couple to save him now.