• Bajjo Events says President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has given him UGX 520 million in support over the years.
  • The money includes UGX 350M after the Kyarenga Concert disruptions, UGX 120M during COVID-19, and UGX 50M recently.
  • Bajjo also revealed disputes among promoters over UGX 5 billion Sacco funds, alleging corruption and misuse of the money.

Promoter Alfonso Andrew Mukasa, popularly known as Bajjo Events, has opened up about the financial support he has received from President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni over the years, revealing that the total amount so far adds up to 520 million Ugandan shillings.

While appearing in an interview on Radio 4 Uganda hosted by Adam Kungu, Bajjo clarified that the money did not come in a single payment. Instead, he explained that the president supported him at different times and for different reasons.

According to Bajjo, the largest portion of the support came in 2018 when he received 350 million shillings as compensation following disruptions surrounding the Kyarenga Concert 2018. At the time, security agencies repeatedly halted preparations for the event, reportedly suspecting it could turn into a political rally in support of Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu during a tense political period.

Bajjo said another 120 million shillings later came his way during the COVID-19 lockdown. The money, he explained, was meant to help him organize online concerts at a time when public gatherings were banned. He credited the idea to Salim Saleh, who reportedly encouraged promoters to explore e-concerts so they could continue earning despite the shutdown of the entertainment industry.

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Most recently, Bajjo says he received an additional 50 million shillings from the president, bringing the total financial support he has received to 520 million shillings.

During the same interview, Bajjo also spoke about the controversial 5 billion shillings that was reportedly allocated to Saccos within the Uganda Promoters Association to support members of the entertainment industry. According to him, the funds instead sparked serious disagreements among promoters.

He alleged that some individuals who accessed the money used it for personal benefit, something he says he strongly opposed.

“I became a complainant and reported them. I told them I don’t like corruption, and that’s why I’m currently not in good terms with most promoters,” Bajjo said.

Bajjo further revealed that when the matter reached the Inspectorate of Government, he was asked to pay a fine of 70 million shillings. This, he said, surprised him because he had personally borrowed only about 40 million shillings from the Sacco.

He believes that speaking out about the issue and reporting the alleged misuse of funds is one of the main reasons his relationship with several fellow promoters in the industry has since turned sour.