Officials ban fiery song

Security officials in northern Uganda have banned radio stations from playing a song by local musician Lucky Otim which criticises the government, on the grounds that it is “misleading”.

The song attacks ministers and members of parliament, particularly opposition converts to the ruling National Resistance Movement, Uganda’s Daily Monitor reported yesterday.

The song, Fire Produces Ash, has become a hit with the public with its no-holds-barred lyrics an overnight sensation as it plays on FM radio stations.

The lyrics mock and frame several politicians as turncoats and the artist sings that ex-presidents from northern Uganda, such as General Tito Okello Lutwa, Idi Amin and Milton Obote, would choose to die again if they were resurrected to find their proteges hobnobbing with President Yoweri Museveni.

While one of the targeted ministers claimed not to be offended, others declined to comment.

But the Kitgum district security committee chaired by resident district commissioner William Komakech on Friday resolved to ban the song on radio stations, discos and other public places.

“It’s on the grounds of inciting violence that we are stopping the reproduction of more copies of the song,” he said.

Kitgum district internal security officer Lawrence Asiimwe said any radio station found playing the song would be closed. – ANA