Musician Mark Bugembe, popularly known as Buchaman, has accused the government of sidelining him and refusing to fund his projects because of his past friendship with National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine.
Speaking in an interview with Sanyuka TV, Buchaman revealed that he had developed several initiatives aimed at transforming the lives of ghetto youths, but said these projects were deliberately frustrated by powerful figures within government.
According to him, officials close to President Yoweri Museveni and Gen. Salim Saleh are reluctant to fund his work because they believe he still has ties to Bobi Wine, his former musical partner turned political rival to the regime.
“President Museveni and Gen. Saleh know what I can do for this country,” Buchaman said. “But they refuse to support me because they think I’m still Bobi Wine’s ally. They fear that if I get funding, it will somehow benefit him. They want to wait until I’m gone before recognising my contribution.”
Buchaman added that despite his loyalty to the current government, he feels unappreciated and financially abandoned.
“I have been faithful to them, but they have treated me unfairly,” he said. “Right now, I’m broke and struggling. I have initiated projects to help ghetto youths leave crime, but I get no recognition or funding. They don’t support me simply because of my past friendship with Bobi Wine.”
Buchaman and Bobi Wine were once close allies in the Firebase Crew before political differences drove them apart. Despite his current allegiance to the ruling establishment, Buchaman says he continues to face suspicion because of his past ties to the opposition leader.
