Veteran Ugandan artist and music manager Chagga Geoffrey has dismissed rumours that he was deported from the United Kingdom, insisting that his return to Uganda is voluntary and that he intends to go back to London to continue working for greener pastures.
Rumours recently circulated that Chagga had quietly returned to Uganda against his will, with speculation suggesting that his stay in the UK may have been affected by issues surrounding his immigration status and work permits.
However, speaking in a recent podcast interview, Chagga denied the deportation claims, saying he is still engaged in kyeyo (casual or manual work) in London and is not ready to disclose details about his personal affairs.
“I have been on kyeyo in London and I’m still doing it. If I returned to Uganda, how do you know how I came? Or that I’ll go back? I don’t disclose my personal matters anymore,” he said.
Chagga further argued that people who are deported often return home with nothing, suggesting that his circumstances are different. He maintained that he had not broken any laws in the UK that would warrant his deportation.
“I’m protected by those whites,” he added, explaining that his initial experience in the UK was difficult despite eventually finding both good and bad people.
According to Chagga, his arrival in the UK was not as smooth as he had expected, claiming that the people who were supposed to pick him up at the airport failed to show up because they wanted him to seek asylum from the authorities, an option he says he did not want to pursue.
“I found good and bad people there and things were hard at first because even the ones who were supposed to pick me up from the airport didn’t come because they wanted me to seek asylum from the authorities, but I didn’t want that. I manoeuvred and eventually left the airport and started my journey in the UK,” he explained.
Despite the speculation surrounding his return, Chagga has maintained that he has not abandoned his plans to work in the UK. He says he intends to return to London and continue pursuing opportunities that will help him improve his circumstances.