“Go to school or go to Jail” Ugandan government warns 7-year-old rapper

A Ugandan minister has ordered a 7-year-old rapper to drop the microphone and go back to school or face arrest if he  do not heed to the order

Newsmen learnt that the Uganda’s Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi made the order to bar the young rapper identified as Patrick Ssenyonjo, alias Fresh Kid from performing because of his age.

Speaking in an interview with Uganda’s NBS TV, the minister said the young rapper cannot keep doing music as the country’s labour law states that no one under the age of 18 should work.

Nakiwala claimed the rapper has been missing school because he has been busy working (as a musician) while children of his age were busy studying.

The minister said police will take action against the rapper and his management should he continue doing music.

However, the minister was strongly challenged by Fresh Kid’s manager, Francis Kamoga, who in an interview with BBC said his rapper only perform on weekends and has only had two shows since the start of 2019.

The manager said his musician is not working and does not get paid hence the authorities have nothing on him.

The State Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi in the Cabinet of #Uganda has ordered Uganda's youngest #rapper, 7-year-old Patrick Ssenyonjo popularly known as Fresh Kid to quit performances and go back to school. #BamuzeeyiMukulu #Banteeka #FreshKid pic.twitter.com/g0eiWNu41t

— Kampala Dispatch (@dispatchug) March 26, 2019

Kamoga assured the public the rapper goes to school contrary to the belief of many, including the minister.

“I discovered him in a rural village miming some songs, brought him to the city and started paying his school fees,” he said.