By Stuart G-Khast
GNL Zamba has today, in a long statement, refuted rumours that he was planning to permanently settle in the US. Read the statement in full below.
“This is a public statement to my friends and partners in Uganda. Six hours ago website called big eye I issued a statement which is profoundly untrue and I feel that as a public figure and board member, I have a duty to my fans and our partners to explain our position.
First of all, I have not held an interview with the website so its statement still remains tabloid dogma to anyone with sharp judgment however, many are easily swayed and sentiments soar amidst the confusion these stories stir.
Its no secret that am a patriotic son of the soil, this clearly shows in all my four albums that have been crafted with themes in the indigenous tongue, my music is Empowering the youth with positive messages, telling stories of our strength, tradition and resilience. The almighty has blessed me with an oratory gift and I use it consciously to lift the voices of the voiceless and be a big brother in communities where mentors are scarce.
My vehicle for social change is HipHop, whether its Ensi bwekuba blow encouraging the youth to work for a better life, or story ya lukka being a cautionary tale changing attitudes to fight the Aids scourge. With reach a hand Uganda we encouraged condom use, the remix of Kaleke kasome and Ekikufula omusajja both protect lives of the girl child from sexual violence. Uganda yaffe became a mantra to promote citizen human rights with national pride and mwana wa baaba was recorded on traditional kiganda bakisimba to re-introduce our rich history and customs to the millennial generation. I have given lectures in Newyork and also via skype to Bayimba’s hiphop youth boot camps for hours. All these works and energies towards lifting our flag. This morning a website issued a statement that “I hate the dusty city that raised me and I am never coming back”
I would have chosen to ignore the non sense like I often do until i read the passionate inbox messages from concerned fans and partners to whom I have a duty. So here it goes. I’m dividing my time between Washington, kampala and Los Angeles performing, acting, directing and working with partners here to create better entertainment entrepreneurial structures in the great lakes region besides working on my Opus called “Dreaming In Color”, to me this is the much needed structure that will ease the work of coming generations to achieve and rip while avoiding the infrastructural challenges of a creative career.
To simply put it in a universal game analogy, you cannot have Jordan with out basketball courts, coaches, training camps, Chicago bulls, a lawyer that understands contracts, great management to protect the player and the umbrella of the NBA. Get it?! My game is Hiphop my home court will always be Uganda, with the technological advances and universal skill, we can expand and play everywhere to the benefit of our people learning the skills and knowledge of the markets where business and entertainment are advanced and synonymous.
My door is always open to young talent who contact me on the daily for advise through social media and emails. This adds to those i have mentored who are all doing visibly well at home and “Rome” is still being built. Baboon forest now has a branch in Los angeles. “Uganda yaffe, Ensi yaffe”. In the words of my mentor Russel simmons “real men don’t maintain, they elevate” we are progressing. Am now rehearsing for presentations in Baltimore, New York, DC and Entebbe including lending my celebrity muscle to fundraising organizations functioning here for causes back home. All for the betterment of our underprivileged communities and for me entertainment goals. A dream from my humble beginnings, all we need is support, thanks to those that have always given it. Unlike many i am not one of those afraid to swim in deep waters; together we are finding a better way. For God and my country. See you soon!”