Galaxy FM’s Ziinafest cancelled over Bobi Wine venue

By Allen Kisakye

Every year, Galaxy fm holds an annual party for its dear listeners dubbed Galaxy Fm ZiinaFest. For four years running now, the festival, which attracts several performers has been held at One Leave Beach, Busabala.

This year, however, organisers have been forced by police to postpone the show that was scheduled for Sunday.

The first announcement was made by the beach’s proprietor Robert Kyagulanyi, aka Bobi Wine.

Kyagulanyi is the Member of Parliament for Kyadondo East and one of the regime’s biggest critics.

“Today was supposed to be Galaxy FM’s ZzinaFest at One Love Beach, Busabala. The police refused to clear the event, for the sole fact that the venue belongs to Kyagulanyi. This is not just an attack on me, but on everyone who would have earned a penny out of this show, and the many Ugandans who would have gathered to have a good time in their country. We shall certainly overcome all this,” Kyagulanyi said in a statement.

According to a source at the radio station, organisers are still trying to get a license for another venue and that the police, who kept tossing them from one office to another, refused to agree to the show because of Busabala is owned by Bobi Wine.

“We first went to CPS, from where we were sent us to Naguru. Here Asuman Mugenyi sent us to Sabiti(Muzeyi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police) and that’s where the papers are so far,” the source said.

“We always get the licence from CPS. But now they are now telling us to get fire extinguishers, ambulances and so on before getting license yet we had paid all service providers.”

Last week Sunday, Bobi Wine was set to perform in Gulu but the Kyarenga Extra concert was stopped by police, who claimed organizers never got clearance. Anti-riot police officers earlier in the day destroyed several banners and posters within Gulu Municipality that were used to advertise Bobi Wine’s concert.