Gen Salim Saleh meets local musicians in one of their frequent stop overs
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Gen Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) has thrown out the marauding musicians who have made his home in Gulu city their home, due to their endless begging missions.
The battle-hardened General, who is also a younger brother to President Yoweri Museveni, has henceforth enlisted Daniel Kazibwe aka Ragga Dee to help him get rid of fellow musicians.
Salim Saleh’s move condemned the musicians to a hunger-filled Christmas, since they had booked an entire hotel in Gulu city, where they sought to see the OWC boss [him] for financial support ahead of Christmas and the ongoing festive season.
Saleh’s complaint was that musicians, whom he said lack cohesion, training and organization, had taken too much of his time, meaning that he even lacks time to meet members of his own political party NRM to strategise ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“I have not even had time to meet the National Resistance Movement (NRM) people over lack of time. When it’s morning, am meeting Buchaman (Mark Bugembe), in the afternoon am meeting Ragga Dee, while in the evening am meeting Odongo Romeo. You are wasting my time, and am here to tell you that am finished with you,” he said.
Gen Saleh, who was born Caleb Akandwanaho made the remarks during a recent trade fair in Gulu city, where several musicians were in attendance.
Bottomless begging bowl
The gallant soldier, known for his patriotism and pan Africanism sentiments, sounded that he has tried to do as much as possible for the musicians but has failed to satisfy their endless aspirations.
In a warlike tone, he summoned Ragga Dee to the podium and directed him to ensure that all musicians from Kampala leave Gulu before Christmas.
He had earlier on directed singer Edrisa Musuuza, popularly known as Eddy Kenzo, to address the influx of musicians traveling to Gulu for Christmas shows.
Gen Saleh receives a funding proposal from one of the local musicians
In a handwritten letter dated November 17, Gen. Saleh raised concerns that the arrival of these musicians was disrupting OWC’s work and programs in northern Uganda.
“In your role as Presidential Advisor on Creatives and President of the Uganda National Musicians Federation (UNMF), please manage the situation,” he pleaded.
Alternative Views
Comedian duo Madrat and Chico have however expressed their support for General Saleh’s recent decision to bar musicians from visiting his residence.
They said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, some musicians exploited their connections to the General to obtain financial aid under dubious circumstances.
“Certain musicians approached us with requests for blank receipts, which were later used to justify requests for financial assistance from Gen. Saleh. We never received a single coin in return,” they told Habari Daily.
With a reputation for generosity, Gen Saleh has become a magnet for artists hoping to secure funding for their projects, citing financial difficulties and limited opportunities in the entertainment industry.
The trend escalated after the 2021 elections, during which several artists actively participated in political campaigns, and were reportedly left financially constrained after campaigning for the ruling party.
