Ssemujju slams Museveni for diminishing advisory roles with musicians

Mr Ssemujju questioned how a musician like Kenzo, without any formal qualifications, could be considered for a presidential advisory role.

Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has criticised President Museveni for what he termed as diminishing the significance of the presidential advisory role by appointing individuals like singer Edirisa Musuuza, professionally known as Eddy Kenzo.

Mr Ssemujju's remarks came after President Museveni appointed Kenzo as a senior presidential adviser on creatives.

Mr Kenzo, who is also the president of the Uganda National Musicians Federation, joins a growing list of musicians who have been appointed by the President as envoys and advisers in various capacities.

This list includes Mark Bugembe, alias Buchaman, who was appointed as the President's special envoy to the ghetto, Catherine Kusasira as the Presidential Advisor on Kampala, and Jennifer Nakanguubi, commonly known as Full Figure.

Mr Ssemujju questioned how a musician like Kenzo, without any formal qualifications, could be considered for a presidential advisory role.

"If you look at the quality of the first people to be appointed presidential advisors—like Prof George Kanyeihamba, Gen. David Sejusa, and Ephraim Kamuntu it demeans the office when you start appointing people with no knowledge or experience and elevate them to be your advisors," Ssemujju said.

"I like Kenzo as a singer and he has value, but I don't think his value lies in advising the President."

Reports indicate that President Museveni has over 100 advisors.

It is speculated that following singers' public challenge, he has increasingly appointed individuals from the arts industry to serve as advisors in an effort to silence them.

Singer Ibrahim Mayanja, alias Big Eye, suggested that the President appoints people to such positions to subtly discourage them from opposing him.

"He uses these positions to manipulate them for his purposes because everyone knows that President Museveni is not open to advice. He runs the country the way he wants," Mayanja said.

He also said that Kenzo is not at a level where he can offer advice to others and that some positions in Uganda have lost their significance, so people should not get overly excited.