KAMPALA – The Parliamentary nominations that were concluded on Friday 16, 2020 saw quite a number of artists being nominated to contest for different parliamentary seats. Most notably among these were Dr Hilderman for Mawokota North, Geoffrey Lutaaya for Kakuuto, Kato Lubwama Rubaga South, Patricko Mujuuka for Nakifuma, Pablo Kimuli for Bunyangabo among others.
A big miss out on these nominations was musician turned politician Ronald Mayinja who in 2017 expressed his intentions to represent the people of Gomba in the 11th Parliament.
The Bizeemu singer has however revealed why he failed to stand for Gomba Member of Parliament seat.
In an interview with one of the local media outlets, Mayinja revealed that he realized he needed a lot of money to run his campaigns which he did not have.
He explained that it required him to sell some of his properties to raise money for the whole electoral process.
“After looking at how much money is required to get through the whole process, I realised I was not well equipped financially. It actually required me to sell some of my properties to raise money which did not sound ideal to me. I just decided to wait until I get enough money to do active politics,” he disclosed.
Few months back, it was alleged that Mayinja was being forced to sell off his Roma Hotel along Entebbe Road in order to refund the money he got from President Museveni.
It ought to be remembered that Mayinja launched the Peace for All, All for Peace initiative early this year attracting criticism from the People Power pressure group to which he initially belonged.
The People Power loyalists accused him of receiving money from Museveni to fail Bobi Wine, a claim he has always denied.
During the launch of ‘Peace for All, All for Peace’ initiative earlier this year in January, Mayinja outlined five key tasks that they intended to accomplish, including carrying out nation-wide tours to sensitize Ugandans on the importance of peace, compose music that promotes peace in differed local dialects, and downplaying divisionism.
Others were to promote mutual respect among Ugandans irrespective of their divergent views on social, political and economic trends in the country and mobilise more Ugandans to be part of the peace movement.
According to Mayinja, they decided to come up with the movement to foster peace and co-existence as a key factor in social, political and economic transformation.
“We members of Peace for All, All for Peace, recognise that our country’s history is characterized by social and political instabilities, with the absence of peace since independence; that social and political instabilities are the fundamental bottlenecks to social, economic and political transformation; that some actors do not appreciate the importance and prominence; resolved and undeterred with commitment to foster positive change in the cause of a peaceful Uganda….,” the document of the launch read.
In 2018, Mayinja was also denounced as a member of the Democratic Party (DP) as officials claimed that he was not a registered party member.
This followed Mayinja’s performance at one of the ruling party’s (National Resistance Movement) events after it won the age limit case.
In August this year, Mayinja coiled his tail and returned to People Power/ National Unity Platform (NUP) and was handed a party membership card where he initially belonged before allegedly receiving a brown envelope from the President.
Earlier this year, Mayinja was criticized by Robert Kyagulanyi’s supporters for meeting with President Museveni at his Kasozi state lodge although the singer denied the allegations. He later accepted and apologized to Bobi Wine as he made a U-turn.
While at the party headquarters in Kamwokya, Mayinja explained himself and requested Bobi Wine and his loyal fans to forgive him for betraying them.
In his defence, he said that he only went to meet Museveni to collect some crucial information from him.
“I met President Museveni and asked him if he still has plans for the country but let me tell you the truth. Having a one on one with grandpa, it was clear to me that he no longer has plans for us. I apologize for accepting to meet Museveni but I belong here, I am so sorry for offending you my people,” Mayinja said.
The singer further denied receiving a ‘fat’ envelope or car from the President, and assured NUP fans that he didn’t make a return because he wants to stand for any political position, but instead to assist the party into reaching its set goals.
Mayinja is a name to reckon with in Uganda’s music industry. His music record spans decades and he has a number of songs to his name. Mayinja is also known for political satire songs like Bunkenke,Ensi Yaffe,Africa,Landlord and Bizeemu.
