Satirical comedy skit lands four Ugandan comedians in jail · Global Voices

Satirical comedy skit lands four Ugandan comedians in jail · Global Voices

In: News

The comedians took jabs at lopsided, ethnically motivated government appointments

A YouTube screenshot Bizonto Comedians appearing in the skit that got them arrested.

The Ugandan police arrested four comedians of the Bizonto Comedy Group at Radio Simba, where they work, on Friday, July 24.

The arrests came after the comedians released a YouTube comedy skit on July 15, that satirized ethnic and regional appointments in Uganda, and went viral on social media with over 20,000 views. In the video, they criticized the imbalance in government’s appointments to top security, electoral and financial governance positions in the East African nation.

The comedians’ jab at lopsided, ethnically motivated government appointments caused a stir within some government circles when they noted that key security and finance positions are occupied by Ugandans from the Western region — and President Yoweri Museveni hails from the same region.

In a statement, the police accused the comedians of sectarianism and for “causing hatred and unnecessary apprehension.” The police also described the video as an “attack on government” and the comedians as “errant characters” capable of “grave threats to the security and stability of the country.”

All four comedians —Julius Sserwanja aka “Kidomoole,” Mbabaali Maliseeri aka “Uncle Luyuugumo,” Ssaabakaaki Peter aka “Omuzinyuuzi” and Gold Ki Matono aka “Opeto,” are currently detained at the Uganda Police Criminal Investigations Department, without charges and expected to be presented in court the week of July 27, when their charges will be read and their fates will be determined in terms of bail or prison time.

NTV Uganda reported on the case, with testimonies from Radio Simba employees who witnessed the arrests:

Much ado about a comedy skit?

In the skit, the comedians began by criticizing Jane Ruth Aceng, Ugandan health minister, who was captured on camera speaking without a mask during a political rally on July 11, in the northern Uganda district of Lira, where she plans to run for a seat in parliament. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni made wearing masks in public mandatory due to the coronavirus and has banned all public gatherings like political rallies, religious gatherings and schools, to mitigate its spread.

The comedians satirically stated that they would be taking time to teach children about the leaders of their country and encourage them to pray as the country approaches the general elections slated for February 2021.

They specifically highlighted prominent security positions including Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi David, presidential security adviser Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Head Security Services Gen. Elly Tumwine, Head of Prisons Dr. Johnson Byabashaija and Deputy Inspector General of Police Sabiiti Muzeyi. They also went after finance positions such as Bank of Uganda Governor Mutebile Emmanuel, and the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Finance Muhakanizi Keith. The comedians also spoke about the Chairman of the Electoral Commission Byabakama Simon.

The four comedians asked Ugandans to educate their children about these people. They also encouraged citizens to pray for these leaders since they have a huge task ahead of organizing a free and fair election. The Bizonto Comedy Group satirically joked that these key government officials may have the daunting task of advising President Museveni to relinquish power should he lose in the upcoming elections.

Their arrest comes at a time when the government has also passed regulations to control the creative arts industry. These regulations have been perceived as punitive, wilting down a vibrant creative industry where Uganda’s biggest opposition leader, Kyagulanyi Robert Sentamu, known by his stage name, Bobi Wine, got his start.

Bobi Wine has been denied the right to perform on stage for two years, ever since he won a seat in parliament. Wine is one of the major contenders against President Museveni, who has ruled Uganda for the past 35 years.

‘Practice tribalism’ and arrest those who criticize tribalism

Ugandans have commented about the arrest of the four comedians online.

Bobi Wine described their arrest as hypocritical:

Other comedians recorded a parody skit where they place the different leaders highlighted by Bizonto in different regions of the country to simply send out a message that the Bizonto comedians never lied in their skit.

Twitter user Segawa shared a collage showing the people that Bizonto talked about to further indicate that there were no lies or wrongdoing.

Twitter user Solomon Ayebare feels that leaders do let people speak up on regional imbalance in top government positions:

Twitter user Buffalo Soldier recalls how he was tortured because of his tribe:

Media personality Douglas Lwanga also tweeted:

In Uganda, it is common to beat up and arrest journalists, ban radio and TV shows, close media houses and attempt to shut anybody that comes out to speak against the wrongdoings of the current government.

Written by James Propa ·
Donate
·