Musician Moses Ssali, popularly known as Bebe Cool, has criticized the political strategies employed by the leader of National Unity Platform (NUP) Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine and former presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye.
During his live engagement with his audience online, Bebe Cool argued that Kyagulanyi has relied heavily on public sympathy to gain political traction, a tactic he believes the musician turned politician learned from singer Joseph Mayanja alias Jose Chameleone.
“When Bobi Wine joined politics, he played only one card: public sympathy, because he learned that from the best, Joseph Mayanja also known as Jose Chameleone,” Bebe Cool said.
He recounted a conversation with Chameleone in which he advised him against relying on sympathy to win over the public.
“I told him, ‘Joseph, you know what? Please, that card must end because that card means you only have to do what the people tell you to do. The second you stop doing what they do because they felt sympathy, they feel they own you,” he said.
Bebe Cool emphasized the importance of political leaders making decisions based on their own beliefs and principles rather than constantly catering to public opinion.
“As you grow up as a man or as a woman, there comes a time when you must do things coming from you, not from the public. Remember, you’re where you are because the public has put you there. Now you want to do things the way you want, not the way the public wants. So the public will have to turn against you,” he stated.
He cautioned Bobi Wine to reconsider his strategy, suggesting that it could backfire in the long run. “I’m very sure that is another card for Bobi Wine to think about because he has played it now.”
Bebe Cool also critiqued Dr. Kizza Besigye, the long-standing opposition leader, for using the same tactic.
“Of course, the number one opposition leader, Dr. Kizza Besigye, people are tired of him. He also played that card, and it’s one of the main reasons why people got tired of him. I want Dr. Besigye to know that was a very wrong card to play.”
He argued that gaining public sympathy to win elections undermines a leader’s credibility and autonomy.
“Public must not be given an opportunity to own you as a leader,” Bebe Cool asserted. He cited the current political situation in Kenya as an example of the pitfalls of relying on public sympathy.
Young people between the ages 12 and 27 (born between 1997 and 2012) known as Gen Z, or Generation of Zoomers, have been making headlines especially in Kenya where they have staged some strikes, forcing the president to recall a contentious financial bill and sacking his entire cabinet.
The Gen Zs have been praised for their bravery and for demanding for accountability and taking part in actions that lead to better governance.
The strike was organized online, with young people using their smartphones to express their displeasure before taking to the streets. They even managed to overrun parliament and capture the speaker’s mace.
This echoed the Arab Spring that swept across North Africa, toppling regimes like that of Hosni Mubarak. Perhaps that’s why William Ruto was quick to concede to the demands of Gen Z in an attempt to restore order.
However, Bebe Cool commented that Ruto found himself in this situation because he entered office through public sympathy, a strategy he believes is very dangerous. He warned that leaders should avoid such an approach.
Source By NILE POST