Critics Call for Financial Independence Over Luxury
Renowned Ugandan motivational speaker and media personality, Frank M. Gashumba, has launched a campaign to secure a luxury vehicle for legendary musician Lord Fred Sebatta. The initiative sees Gashumba reaching out to General Caleb Akandwanaho (also known as Salim Saleh), the overseer of the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program, in hopes of garnering support for this gesture.
Gashumba’s move comes shortly after his attendance at Ssebatta’s 42nd anniversary concert, organized by promoter Mariam Mutakubwa of Biggie Events, held last Friday at Serena Hotel in Kampala.
According to Gashumba, the effort to acquire a luxury car for Sebatta is intended as a token of appreciation for the singer’s monumental impact on Uganda’s music scene. The declaration has raised many eyebrows, with Gashumba vowing to champion this cause across various media platforms, including an appearance on Radio 4’s “Entugga” talk show hosted by Adam Kungu.
Gashumba emphasized that Sebatta deserves a “monster ride,” complete with an open fuel card, reflecting his admiration for the singer. However, the decision to approach General Salim Saleh, who is closely linked to the OWC program, has caught many off guard.
Many had expected Gashumba to leverage his affiliations with SISIMUKA Uganda or the People’s Liberty Union (PLU) to secure the vehicle instead.
General Salim Saleh, the retired Ugandan military officer and brother of President Yoweri Museveni, is no stranger to controversy. His history of involvement in corruption scandals and allegations of illegal exploitation of natural resources, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has made Gashumba’s request seem even more unusual.
Despite the unexpected nature of the plea, Gashumba insists that the gesture is motivated by Ssebatta’s impressive contributions to Uganda’s music industry. However, some critics suggest that Gashumba’s focus on a luxury vehicle overlooks more pressing financial issues that the musician faces.
As a self-proclaimed fan of Lord Fred Sebatta, Gashumba may want to consider addressing the musician’s more immediate needs, such as achieving financial freedom and independence from loan sharks.
While a luxury car would undoubtedly be a lavish gift, many believe that practical support, such as assistance with financial planning or helping to stabilize Ssebatta’s finances, would be a far more meaningful gesture.
General Salim Saleh has previously attempted to support Sebatta through the Operation Wealth Creation (OWC) program, which aims to boost the livelihoods of Ugandans.
Given the success of Ssebatta’s recent concert, there is hope that he may have negotiated a better financial deal that could alleviate some of his ongoing financial struggles.
