Bobi Wine, Silver Kyagulanyi and Isaac Rucibigango addressing journalists over the Bebe Cool saga at Nsambya Sharing Hall Bobi Wine, Silver Kyagulanyi and Isaac Rucibigango addressing journalists over the Bebe Cool saga at Nsambya Sharing Hall

Local musicians have urged the Police to speed up investigations into the shooting of their colleague, Moses Ssali, alias Bebe Cool, and prosecute the culprits.

Over 200 artistes yesterday condemned the Police for ?failing to restrain their trigger-happy men?.

Under their umbrella organisation, Uganda Musicians Federation, the artistes threatened to take legal action against the Police if they delayed to bring the perpetrators to book.

In a show of solidarity, the irate musicians said shooting Bebe Cool signaled a direct attack on the music industry.

Bebe Cool is ready to seek legal action against the Police. If he fails, we shall throw all our weight behind him,? the federation?s spokesperson, Isaac Rucibigango, told a press conference at Nsambya Youth Sharing Centre in Kampala.

It is unjustifiable to shoot an unarmed civilian with five bullets. The Police must restrain its trigger-happy men.

Sylver Kyagulanyi, their chairperson, added: Justice for a single musician means justice for all Ugandans. We don?t have any limits to seeking justice in Bebe Cool?s matter.?

Bebe Cool was on Saturday morning shot at Centenary Park near Nakumatt shopping mall, along with his bodyguards, Abbas Kobobyo, and Allan Masengere. Policeman David Oluka was also hit. Alfred Aichikan, a special Police constable attached to Jinja Road Police Station, is still in detention over the shooting. Police chief Kale Kayihura regretted the incident.

The musicians yesterday dismissed as ignorance reports linking the shooting to rivalry in the music industry.

Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, said the musicians had not run mad to start wishing death to each other.

Ugandan artistes are sensible enough not to go to that level of insanity of shooting our colleagues. The Police, not rivalry in the industry, are to blame for the shooting,? Bobi Wine, who is also the federation?s secretary general, stressed. He denied that some musicians have guns.

Cliff Mutebi, a member of Jeckaki Band, said although they do not have guns, musicians have the capacity to fight the Police and the Government.

Our guns are our mouths and microphones. We are not political. (But) if the Police and Government fail to accord justice to Bebe Cool and his fellow victims, we shall turn our guns against them, he said.

Asked about the endless fights in the industry, Bobi Wine said it was the reason they formed the federation.

We are cleaning our house. We want to set up an internal mechanism to discipline naughty artistes. Even if it means arresting a musician breaking the law, we shall be part of it.

Other artistes in attendance were Haruna Mubiru, Ronald Mayinja, Tendo Tabel, Joy Tabula and Eddie Ssendi.

In a separate development, Bobi Wine was yesterday released on Police bond after recording a statement at Kabalagala Police Station in connection with an assault complaint lodged against him by the escort of the Makindye deputy RDC, Cpl. Muhammad Wasswa.

Bobi Wine was yesterday accompanied by several artistes including Ronald Mayinja, Butcherman and Isaac Rucibigango of the former Limit X, causing a stampede at the Police station.

Bobi Wine was on Friday night involved in a scuffle with the army man at CHOGM Pub in Kabalagala, where he had performed.

According to the Police, Bobi Wine assaulted the soldier who attempted to stop him and his group members from smoking marijuana in public.

At the Police station, Bobi Wine denied he had refused to pick their phone calls, only that he was not aware he was wanted until he read the story in New Vision.

He spent about 30 minutes recording a statement and had to wait for about an hour for the DPC, Charles Walugembe, to grant him bond. He was told to report back on February 10. Bobi Wine also demanded the release of his manager?s car but the Police declined.

He also asked whether the Police would arrest the armed soldiers whom he accused of disorganising his show.

By Francis Kagolo and Eddie Ssejjoba