Ugandan playwright and drama director John Segawa has delivered a bold and unfiltered critique of creatives who abandon the stage for politics — insisting the move has hurt Uganda’s arts industry more than it has helped.
In a candid conversation, Segawa compared politics to a “gambling ball” — a high-stakes venture where money rules, and once you enter, there’s no turning back.
“Politics is a gambling ball. You don’t have the money, you don’t come in. If they had the money, they would have had the party tickets. If you go there, it’s a gamble, and there is no way back,” Segawa warned.
His Warning to Bobi Wine
Segawa revealed that he personally cautioned Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, a.k.a. Bobi Wine, not to run in the 2017 Kyadondo East by-election.
Despite his warning, Bobi Wine went ahead, won the seat, and launched a political career that would eventually make him the face of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
But Segawa believes that victory came at a steep cost for Uganda’s arts scene.
“Even Bobi Wine himself, I stopped him from coming as an independent in 2017. I was alerting him that if he reaches there, he would cause us the backfire that we are facing in the arts today. The main problem with Ugandan arts today is taking part in politics, and that’s why it has dipped,” Segawa said.
Other Stars He Tried to Stop
Bobi Wine wasn’t the only creative Segawa tried to steer away from politics. Over the years, he has voiced similar concerns to several entertainers-turned-politicians, including:
- Patriko Mujuuka – the radio and TV star who contested for Nakifuma Constituency in 2021.
- Mary Flavia Namulindwa – a media personality Segawa says he treated “like a daughter,” warning her not to join politics.
- Stecia Mayanja – the singer who also eyed a political seat.
- Geoffrey Lutaaya – the musician who successfully made it to Parliament.
- Dr. Hilderman (Hilderman Kiyaga) – who also joined politics under NUP.
- Reign (of Maulana & Reign) – whom Segawa urged to stick to theatre, insisting that’s where his power lies.
“Reign, I talked to him and told him I’d be happiest if he didn’t get the party card. I told him, ‘We belong to the theatre, and we have a constituency in the arts. We can survive here,’” Segawa recalled.
Why He Thinks Politics Has Damaged the Arts
According to Segawa, Uganda’s creative industry — from theatre to film to music — has suffered as entertainers chase political influence.
While he acknowledged that some, like Bobi Wine, possess natural leadership abilities, he insists that most do not. Instead, their departures have weakened the arts, pulling talent and focus away from the cultural institutions that need them most.
A Tough Love Message to Fellow Creatives
Segawa’s message is clear: politics is not the answer for Uganda’s artists.
He believes that creatives already have a powerful “constituency” in theatre, film, and music — spaces where they can inspire change and influence society without getting entangled in political struggles.
“Exactly five years ago, I was seated with my brother Patriko Mujuuka and told him, ‘Don’t go; you’re better off where you are. You’re bigger than that.’ When he failed to secure the party ticket, I called Bobi to talk to him and advise him not to contest. Now, he is not with us. Wherever he is, I wish him the best,” Segawa reflected.
Final Word
John Segawa’s critique is bound to spark debate — especially in a country where entertainers have increasingly traded microphones and scripts for manifestos.
While he admits politics may give some stars power, he insists it’s crippling the very industry that built them.
🔥 Do you agree with John Segawa — has politics truly damaged Uganda’s arts? Or has it given creatives a bigger platform to fight for change?
👉 Drop your thoughts below and stay tuned to The Pop Radar for more on Uganda’s arts, culture, and political crossovers.
