Police officers in Jinja on Saturday disrupted preparations for Busoga One Radio’s annual concert, defying a clear directive from the Minister of Internal Affairs that had approved the event. The raid has sparked debate over political interference, strained relations between local leaders and security agencies, and fears of financial losses for hundreds of workers who depend on the show.
The standoff unfolded at the Source of the Nile Agricultural Show Grounds where engineers, sound crews, and stage builders had already begun setting up for the popular concert known as Endingito ya Busoga One Radio. Midway through their work, anti-riot police arrived and ordered everyone to leave the grounds immediately.
This action sharply contrasted with a written instruction issued just a day earlier by Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire, who had directed the police leadership to allow the show to take place without any obstruction. His message questioned why the concert was being targeted simply because it fell during the election period, arguing that such gatherings should not be blocked without solid justification.
The dispute started earlier in the week when Jinja’s Resident City Commissioner, Richard Gulume Balyaino, ordered that the concert be postponed. He cited intelligence reports warning of possible risks associated with holding a large event close to election time. The decision was backed by the City Security Committee, which includes senior police and intelligence officials.
Busoga One Radio, owned by former MP Paul Mwiru, challenged the cancellation and accused the city authorities of acting out of political motives. The station argued that the move was not only unfair but also harmful to local businesses and the many informal workers who rely on the event for income. According to Mwiru, food vendors, DJs, bouncers, and entertainers had already invested money preparing for the day, and the sudden blockade would lead to heavy financial losses.
He also questioned why other big events in the area, such as the Annual Fish Festival and the Busoga Masaza Cup, were allowed to take place on the same day while only their concert was blocked. Some of the station’s staff believe that the crackdown is politically driven, claiming that certain leaders in the region do not want the event to go ahead because Mwiru is contesting for the Jinja South East parliamentary seat under the National Unity Platform.
The dramatic intervention by police, despite the minister’s official clearance, has fueled uncertainty over who holds final authority in such matters during the heated election season. It has also reignited concerns about the shrinking political space and the growing influence of local security officials in decisions that affect public gatherings.
With Gen Otafiire’s instructions now public, Busoga One Radio insists it will continue preparations as discussions between the station, police, and city officials continue. Whether the concert will eventually proceed as planned remains unclear, but the clash has transformed what was meant to be a festive entertainment event into a national political talking point.