Well-known Ugandan musician Moses Ssali, commonly known as Bebe Cool, has finally revealed the long-hidden issue that sparked the ongoing feud between him and fellow artist-turned-politician Bobi Wine. The two had a close friendship starting in the early 2000s, built around their shared ambition to become successful music stars.
This meant that their families frequently interacted and were also friends. However, everything changed around 2008 when the two musicians began to clash in what would become Uganda’s most significant music rivalry.
Over the years, various speculations have arisen regarding the cause of their bitter separation. Some have suggested that it was due to a lack of respect between families. Discussing the situation, the Gagamel leader indicated that it was a deeply personal matter that led to the rift with his peer.
Bebe shared that Barbie Kyagulanyi, Bobi Wine’s wife, would often leave their home during conflicts and seek refuge at Bebe’s. He and his partner, Zuena, would provide her with advice before she returned to Bobi Wine’s residence.
However, after Zuena left Bebe Cool, he confided in Barbie about his difficulties. As someone who had previously offered her marital support, he anticipated receiving the same in return. However, when Barbie informed her husband, he began to insult Bebe Cool, which hurt him since he was reaching out for help from a friend.
“What really separated me from Bobi Wine was something personal.
Babie used to kunoba and come to my home. But when Zuena left me and went back to her parents’ home, I reached out to Babie for help. I thought, as a friend to my wife, she would speak to her and help us sort things out.
But when Babie told Bobi Wine about it, instead of helping, he turned around and started insulting me. I was simply asking for help from a friend. Since our families were close, I truly thought they would support me, but it turned out to be the opposite.
The painful part is, his own wife used to run away and come to my place. We would sit, counsel her, and then send her back to him. But when it was my turn to need support, he chose to insult me.
From that day until now, that’s why we’ve neve,” noted Bebe Cool
It’s worth noting that the two musicians have traded several intense songs aimed at each other, including “Kadingo,” “Kasepiki,” “Doho Lyo,” and “By Far,” with Bebe maintaining a confrontational but respectful stance throughout their rivalry.
In contrast, the self-styled ghetto gladiator did not hold back from belittling Bebe Cool’s family. In one of his tracks, “Matyansi Butyampa,” he insulted Bebe’s father, Bidandi Ssali, by referring to him as a dog, while in another song, “Wesotinge,” he criticized the Wire Wire singer for his inability to manage his marital issues.
