American rapper, Akon is facing criticism for meeting Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni.
The artist had met the head of the East African nation as part of his plans of constructing a modern city.
His meeting with President Museveni, rights activists and critics say, is being exploited by the statesman for ‘selfish’ purposes.
“Museveni has exploited your meeting with him for official
propaganda, as his regime seeks to capitalize on your global prestige to whitewash its image and distract from its most recent wave of repression,” U.S. based groups Human Rights Foundation and Vanguard Africa are reported to have written to the artist in a joint letter.
In the letter, both bodies also urged Akon to make clear his stance of not supporting the president.
Akon’s visit comes at a time Museveni is being accused of election malpractices. The election, rights bodies say, was characterised by among others, violence, internet shutdown and allegations of vote rigging.
Akon’s planned futuristic city in Uganda is meant to be the second after that in Senegal.
Isaac Musumba, Uganda’s minister for urban development, is reported to have said they would give the artist “a place suitable in Uganda that has not less than one square mile, which will be made available to him and his team”.
Mimi Mefo Info
Akon under ‘fire’ for meeting with Uganda’s Museveni
