Singer turned politician Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, famously known as Bobi wine has come out and called for the release of Ugandan artist Fik Gaza who was reportedly arrested in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier this week, Uganda’s social media was filled with shock news regarding the arrest of Fik Gaza by Saudi Arabia Authorities just after landing in the country.
It is reported that Gaza was detained by authorities for waving a Ugandan flag, being swarmed by enthusiastic fans, and donning attire resembling that of a musician.
Eye witnesses told several Ugandan online publications that Gaza’s arrival at the airport drew considerable attention as supporters gathered around him, leading to a commotion.
This apparently caught the attention of Saudi officers, who intervened and subsequently took Gaza into custody.
The incident has sparked discussions online, with many expressing surprise and concern over the severity of the response to Gaza’s actions. Some have questioned the grounds for his arrest, citing freedom of expression and cultural differences.
Singer Wycliff Tugume, alias Ykee Benda, has actually cautioned his fellow Ugandan musicians against performing in Saudi Arabia.
Expressing concern over the dealings of music promotion in Saudi Arabia, Ykee Benda highlighted the jealousy among local promoters, who, he claims, often lead unsuspecting artists into unfortunate situations.
“It has happened to me before. I warn my fellow artists to stay away from those promoters’ scuffles because once you get arrested in Saudi, it’s a complicated country. If these promoters give you their money, cancel and give them back their money,” Benda said.
The most recent one is the National Unity platform President, Bobi wine who took to his social media handle and offered his support to fellow artist Fik Gaza who has been missing since his travel to Saudi Arabia.
The self-proclaimed Ghetto president that his teams in Uganda and Saudi Arabia are trying to establish the facts so that the artist can be assisted.
I’ve learnt of the detention of this brother and artiste Fik Gaza in Saudi Arabia – something that has happened to so many African and indeed Ugandan artistes in the past. Although details are still scanty, our teams both here and in Saudi Arabia are trying to establish the facts so that we collectively assist him out of this situation. Bobi Wine wrote.
Details regarding the dancehall artist’s arrest are yet to be fully revealed but it is not the first time a Ugandan artist is being arrested in foreign countries.
Just recently, another dancehall singer Beenie Gunter spent weeks in a Dubai prison where he was detained following a physical altercation with Ugandan promoters abroad.