Flashback: When Bobi Wine was banned from the UK over homophobic lyrics

In February 2014, President Museveni assented to the anti-homosexuality law. This law was well received by many Ugandans, including the musician Bobi Wine. (Who would have guessed it then that he would be Presidential Aspirant in a few years? – Life will really shock you!)

His outspoken support for the law which as also evident I his lyrics invited a visa ban from the United Kingdom.

The ban came as a response to Bobi Wine’s release of a song in 2014 containing what the United Kingdom called anti-gay lyrics, urging the public to “Burn all the batty man” and inciting violence against individuals he referred to as “battymen.” These lyrics were considered homophobic and violated the UK’s Criminal Justice and Immigration Act of 2008, which prohibits inciting hatred based on sexual orientation.

The ban led to the cancellation of two planned performances in Birmingham and London, where Bobi Wine was set to support the Ugandan drama and music group, the Ebonies.

Bobi Wine publically refused to apologize for the lyrics but in private engaged with British diplomats, international lawyers, and activists to overturn the decision.

During the controversy, Bobi Wine defended his views, stating that they were representative of his country and emphasizing that while he disagreed with homosexuality, he was not advocating for violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation.

After almost a decade of diplomatic begging, with his political ambitions now ripe and his stance on the issue softened, the United Kingdom lifted the visa ban.

The lifting of the visa ban marked a significant development in Bobi Wine’s international travel and political engagement now he travels to attends various international awards.