American ace rap artist and singer, Akon has intimated;that some parts of the world are not meant to have a democratic rule.
This follows some Ugandans indicating that Akon’s visit hurts pro-democracy;efforts in Uganda, and others in the country also suggesting the square mile of land;Uganda is donating to the singer should instead be awarded to local investors desperate for such an opportunity.
Also, U.S. based groups, Human Rights Foundation, and Vanguard Africa said in;a joint letter to Akon that Akon is helping to rehabilitate longtime President Yoweri Museveni’s reputation. This, they said, was based on an election conducted earlier this year marred;by violence, an internet shutdown, and allegations of vote-rigging. The letter also urged him [Akon] to “explicitly make clear” that he is not endorsing Museveni’s “brutal regime”.
Akon’s response to the development
Akon in response to that only drew criticisms from the rights activists over his meetings with Uganda’s President. When asked whether he [Akon] was worried about being accused of collaborating with an African leader who has spent decades in power, Akon told the local NBS channel that “honestly, that just doesn’t bother me. Clearly democracy just works differently in different places, and not every place in the world is made for democracy”.
The singer added that a group of unnamed investors backing him considered “whatever the people needed. Then it’s our job to support the government to make it happen.”
Akon’s arrival in Uganda earlier this month generated excitement;among government officials who saw his visit as a boon for efforts to attract tourists. The singer traveled in a military helicopter to meet Museveni at his rural home in western Uganda. A second meeting took place at Museveni’s ranch in central Uganda.
President Museveni has said of Akon’s search for business opportunities that;he is “happy to engage in such a discussion that will uplift our people and Africa at large”.
Akon’s Uganda plans include a music festival to promote local talent.
Akon has made headlines in recent years as a pan-African businessman;interested in opportunities on the continent of 1.3 billion people. His most ambitious goal is to build a 6 billion dollars utopian city in Senegal that he;has described as a “real-life Wakanda,” comparing it to the technologically advanced fictional;African place in the blockbuster film ‘Black Panther’. Also,
It can be recalled that Museveni’s main opponent in January’s election was the;singer Bobi Wine, who disputed the President’s victory as fraudulent and sought the international;community’s intervention over what he regards as a brutal dictatorship. But then, Museveni, a U.S. ally on regional security, asserted that he won fairly.
Read also: Akon secures land for a futuristic city in Uganda. Also,
