Monica Ahimbisibwe
Comedy duo Sammie and Shawa have issued a public apology following backlash over a skit they performed about National Unity Platform (NUP) President, Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.
The skit, which was part of their routine at Comedy Store on Wednesday, September 4 at Roza Dymz, depicted the recent incident in which Bobi Wine was attacked with a tear gas canister by police on Tuesday.
The performance did not sit well with many of their fans, particularly supporters of Bobi Wine and the NUP, who found the skit to be in poor taste.
In response to the criticism, Sammie and Shawa took to their official social media page to issue a public apology:
“Hey everyone, we want to take a moment to apologize for our recent performance about Principal Bobi Wine,” reads the apology in part.
“We realized that our skit was hurtful, and for that, we are truly sorry. Please note that our intention wasn’t to hurt anyone, but to express our creativity and humor as comedians.
“Thanks for your support, and we appreciate your love. Thank you for holding us accountable and for being part of our journey. We’re committed to making you laugh and entertain you, while also being sensitive to the experiences and feelings of all individuals and groups.”
The apology appears to have been an attempt to calm the growing unrest among fans and political supporters, many of whom voiced their concerns over the duo’s treatment of a sensitive issue.
Bobi Wine remains a popular political figure in Uganda, and any portrayal of his struggles tends to elicit strong reactions.
