“No Support from UNMF,” Shanks Vivie’D Raises Outcry on Health Crisis

Ugandan dancehall legend Shanks Vivie’D has revealed that he is battling a serious lumbar spine issue.

According to him, doctors have recommended surgery, with the cost estimated at a whopping UGX 24 million.

Shanks told Tawfiq Media that he is currently undergoing physiotherapy in the hope that it will treat the condition and eliminate the need for surgery.

So far, he has managed to raise UGX 10 million with help from family and friends, but over UGX 15 million will still be needed if surgery becomes inevitable.

Desperate for institutional support, Shanks said he reached out to the president of the Ugandan National Musicians Federation, Eddy Kenzo.

Unfortunately, he did not receive the help he was hoping for.

I talked to the [UNMF] president, and he told me there is no budget at the moment. I spoke to him earlier this month. I am a member of the federation, and ever since I explained my situation, he has not followed up. The president knows my condition because I sent him my MRI results and informed him about everything. He told me that the federation currently does not have a budget to treat musicians. So far, I have not received any help from the federation.

Now, Shanks is turning to his fans, fellow artistes, and the public for help.

He is urging everyone to chip in and raise standby funds for surgery if it becomes necessary.