Four members of a comedy group known by their stage name Bizonto, also employees of Radio Simba have been arrested from the station’s offices in Bukoto on Friday on charges of sectarianism.
The suspects are; Julius Sserwanja also known as Kidomoole, Mbabaali Maliseeri (Uncle Luyuguumo) Sssaabakaaki Peter (Omuzinyuuzi) and Gold Ki Matono, also known as Opeto. However, only three of them are part of the station's morning show, Binsangawano, which is packaged with satirical skits, mainly linked to the current affairs of the country while another, Sssaabakaaki Peter Kajabuzi (Omuzinyuuzi), works with the evening show - Mukulikeeyo.
It is said however that the skit which led to their arrest is not part of the broadcast at Radio Simba, but one of the recorded comedy skits, which are shared on various platforms, including YouTube and Facebook.
The group allegedly mockingly prayed for Uganda’s top leaders in a skit titled Who are our Leaders? In a seven-minute skit which was uploaded on July 15, 2020 and has attracted more than 11,000 views on YouTube alone.
In the skit, the group members list all persons who are holding key positions in the government, pointing out only those individuals from Western Uganda. The four men said that although the known Inspector General of Police is Martin Okoth Ochola, the actual police boss is Major-General Sabiiti Muzeeyi, who also hails from the west.
According to Section 41 of the Penal Code, sectarianism is the practice of degrading or exposing to hatred or contempt or disaffection for anyone on the basis of religion, tribe, or ethnic or regional origin by utterance, printing, publication or performance any such act.
Whoever engages in such acts commits an offence and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years.
The Bizonto were upon arrest taken to the Police headquarters, Naguru, Kampala. The group is also known for making videos in song form about celebrities and socialites.
