According to local media reports, eight members of a Ugandan music band were arrested for expressing dissatisfaction with the length of the president’s speech during a weekend event.
The complaint, made by one of the band members, was perceived as disrespectful to President Yoweri Museveni.
The president was delivering a speech at the 50th wedding anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi and his wife Jacqueline Mbabazi on Saturday night.
Reportedly speaking in the local Runyankole language, the Crane Performers band members allegedly uttered the phrase “Rutabandana Waturusya Rugahamuzindaro,” which loosely translates to “over speaker, we are tired, leave the microphone”.
According to security sources cited by the privately owned Uganda Radio Network news website, the musicians are currently being held at the Kampala Central Police Station.
Court documents seen by local media indicate that the musicians have been charged with insulting the president.
As of now, neither the band nor the police have provided official statements regarding the incident.