KAMPALA – Singer Bebe Cool and Comedian Patrick Idringi alias Salvador have finally coiled their tails and apologized to Ugandans for the “insensitive” and “arrogant” comments they made following the widespread protests in the different areas of the country on Wednesday.
Several photos and videos of hundreds who were injured made rounds on the internet as masses condemned how police used excessive force, live bullets and teargas to disperse the crowds.
It is in this same line, a number of celebrities came out on their social media platforms to condemn the acts and call for calm and an end to police brutality.
Bebe Cool and Patrick Salvado however held different opinions as they applauded police’s work while condemning what they termed as “hooliganism”.
“Get off the streets people. It’s been testament that these people will shoot you. Call me a coward but just like the rest of you here, I will tweet from the comfort of my home. At least I will be alive to witness the change you are fighting for and you will be dead,” Salvador posted.
Bebe Cool also posted; “When the other side stops, we too will stop. But make no mistake, once they resume, we will resume even at a higher tempo. For now we ready for plan B starting tomorrow. This kind of hooliganism won’t be tolerated.”
As expected, the two entertainers received backlash from their fans and critics on different social media platforms throughout the night.
By Thursday morning, Bebe Cool, who has also been holding processions to prove that NRM still had support in Uganda had come to terms with the popular opinion that indeed, excessive force had been used and acknowledged the insensitivity of his earlier statements.
“I would like to apologize for the post I made yesterday that made me appear insensitive towards the families of the innocent Ugandans that lost their lives in the riots that took place yesterday,” he shared.
He however said that much as he regrets what happened yesterday during the protests, it is the role of the Uganda police to ensure enforcement of the set guidelines.
“What happened yesterday is regrettable and I am saddened by the loss of life and property that we all saw. I condole with the families of all those that lost or got a loved one injured in the violence that took place yesterday. We shouldn’t accept or associate with acts of violence especially because of our political affiliation,” he said.
Patrick Salvado as well rushed to his Twitter handle to apologize for sounding insensitive and arrogant having come across the videos of people who were shot at. He also asked for God’s forgiveness.
Through his official twitter account on Thursday, Salvado said that after watching a video taken during the riots, he realized that it was wrong of him to rally behind the armed men in uniforms.
“I’m sorry, if I came out insensitive and arrogant earlier, I’M SORRY, I just can’t get the visual out of my head, that little boy whose legs were crushes, the bystanders who were shot… dear lord forgive me… where is the love,” Salvado said.
He further added that; “I have made peace with myself, I was insensitive, I’ve been open to learn, I have learnt to error is human, to acknowledge the mistake is maturity but to forgive is divine.”
On Wednesday, a section of angry Ugandans in the different parts of the country went on streets and protested to show their dissatisfaction following the brutal arrest of National Unity Platform Presidential flag bearer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine in Luuka district.
In the course of events, several people lost their lives and many were seriously injured as police applied excessive force to put the situation back to normal.
