Retired General Salim Saleh has responded to Ugandan musician King Saha’s song Akamwanyi, disputing its lyrics about coffee allegedly being stolen and urging Ugandans to join the newly launched Uganda Coffee Group.
Saleh made the remarks during the launch of the Uganda Coffee Group, where he referred to King Saha as his “son-in-law” but accused the musician of presenting misleading information in the song.“King Saha is my ‘son-in-law,’ but he lied in the Akamwanyi song. He said their coffee was stolen,” Saleh said.
He referenced the song’s lyrics, which include the repeated lines, “Wano akamwanyi kaliwo, wano akamwanyi kaliwo… wano abasajja bajjawo,” suggesting that the song portrays a situation in which coffee was present before men came and took it away.
Saleh maintained that the song contained several falsehoods, although he did not provide specific details during the remarks explaining which parts of the lyrics he disputed.
“I want to assure King Saha today that the coffee is back,” he said, signalling his position that the concerns raised in the song no longer reflected the situation.
The retired general also used the occasion to encourage Ugandans to participate in the Uganda Coffee Group, presenting the initiative as an opportunity for people to engage with the coffee sector.
“I implore all of you to join the Uganda Coffee Group,” Saleh said.The remarks place the debate surrounding Akamwanyi alongside wider discussions about coffee ownership, production and the participation of Ugandans in the coffee value chain.
The song’s lyrics have drawn attention to allegations about the loss of coffee, while Saleh’s response challenges the narrative presented by the musician.However, the remarks alone do not establish the circumstances behind the alleged theft referenced in the song or independently verify Saleh’s assertion that the coffee is back.
The launch of the Uganda Coffee Group provided Saleh with a platform to address the musician’s claims and call for greater public participation in the coffee sector.
