Uganda's 'Ghetto President' Bobi Wine is doing so well right now in the Ugandan music industry, and I think one important reason for this is the people he chooses to have around him. I am grateful to have come to know many of them in 2010 and 2014-2016.
Barbie is a smart, caring and hard working woman who is an amazing wife and mother, while also farming and managing various enterprises including One Love Beach, which is seriously in business. The kids are so well behaved, kind, well rounded, smart, informed and confident. Solomon has the potential to achieve real greatness in his life; I can see that already.
Barbie is a smart, caring and hard working woman who is an amazing wife and mother, while also farming and managing various enterprises including One Love Beach, which is seriously in business. The kids are so well behaved, kind, well rounded, smart, informed and confident. Solomon has the potential to achieve real greatness in his life; I can see that already.
On our road trip to Moroto, Karamoja, I got to appreciate Nubian Li and Selector Davie even more, though I’ve known them for years. These are some of the best people I’ve ever met in my life: so thoughtful, genuine and caring. That is the Firebase culture: everybody does their part to make sure we’re all OK. They are good people, and they are free from limiting beliefs. The whole team is confident to make up their own minds and stand up for what they know to be true.
We have been arguing for years about things like feminism, gay rights, international politics and what to do about Uganda, but we always listen to each other and learn so much. On a road trip with Bobi, Nubian and Davie, I explored social and philosophical topics on a deeper level, challenged by their perspectives. I now understand Uganda better, because of everything these guys and others have taught me over the years.
We have been arguing for years about things like feminism, gay rights, international politics and what to do about Uganda, but we always listen to each other and learn so much. On a road trip with Bobi, Nubian and Davie, I explored social and philosophical topics on a deeper level, challenged by their perspectives. I now understand Uganda better, because of everything these guys and others have taught me over the years.
There are many special people in the Firebase family who participate in our talks, and contribute in other ways. John takes care of business… I won’t name them all, but Kim XP is notable: a video director, and more so a thinker who always brings a special viewpoint. He’s so truthful, even when it’s not easy. We all poke holes in each other's arguments and together try to find a better way to think, speak and act. It’s the dialectic method.
When the Viva con Agua team got back to Kampala for the #WeLoveYouganda concert in Kamwokya, the visiting artists Megaloh and the Ghanaian Stallion from Germany, Knackeboul from Switzerland and Octopizzo from Kenya were introduced to the other Firebase artists backstage. Bobi usually sends his Firebase artists to perform and hype the crowd before he gets on stage. This little guy Razor Blade enthusiastically climbed over the fence when the backstage gate man was asking for a wristband, and he surprised me with how amazing he was on stage.
Megaloh and Octopizzo both told me that they saw a great future for one particular Firebase upcoming artist known as Zex.
His songs are good, they said. Zex is a better singer than most, and did you see him perform? So much energy! Did you see how the crowd loved him? That one, Zex. He is a really good kid. You should do PR for him, they said.
Megaloh and Octopizzo both told me that they saw a great future for one particular Firebase upcoming artist known as Zex.
His songs are good, they said. Zex is a better singer than most, and did you see him perform? So much energy! Did you see how the crowd loved him? That one, Zex. He is a really good kid. You should do PR for him, they said.
Zex often arranges bodas for me, along with so many other good deeds. He always welcomes me at HQ and the barracks in Kamwokya like I’m a long lost friend. I’ll do my part to give him what he deserves. That is the Firebase culture, which is led by Bobi Wine himself. Everyone takes care of each other, and for me I am often handicapped by my muzungu ignorance, so I know very well the benefits of a compassionate community.
Bobi Wine is not just one man, riding high on his ego to eat for himself. Bobi Wine is the people. The people in the Firebase family, the people in the crowds, the people who comment on his Facebook page, the people who are talking about his ideas across Uganda and the world. That is why Bobi is doing so well right now: he is one with the people, and they are all VIPs.
Bobi Wine is not just one man, riding high on his ego to eat for himself. Bobi Wine is the people. The people in the Firebase family, the people in the crowds, the people who comment on his Facebook page, the people who are talking about his ideas across Uganda and the world. That is why Bobi is doing so well right now: he is one with the people, and they are all VIPs.