Red Banton Links His Current Struggles to Radio’s Death, Pleads to Meet General Saleh

Veteran singer Red Banton has opened up about why he has turned to alcohol, attributing it to the hardships he is currently facing.

In an interview with Sanyuka TV, Banton revealed that life has never been the same since the passing of singer Moses Nakintije Ssekibogo, alias Mowzey Radio.

According to him, when Radio was still alive, they used to perform together regularly, and money was never a problem. He was able to pay rent, school fees, and cover other basic needs.

However, after Radio’s death, performance opportunities declined, and his income dropped significantly.

He added that just when he thought things could not get worse, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and made his situation even more difficult.

Red Banton also shared that during the pandemic, musicians were invited to form an association, though he did not mention its name.

As the group grew, a few members were selected to go and meet General Salim Saleh in Gulu. Unfortunately, Red Banton was not among those chosen.

He believes that he and some other musicians were used merely to boost numbers, giving a few individuals the opportunity to lobby for money from the General.

“In calling us, they told us we would all go to Gulu at once,” he explained, adding, “They used us to make up numbers, then later they dumped us.”

He mentioned that those who went to Gulu included Jose Chameleone, Pallaso, Kiwawa’s son, and two others whose names he could not recall, though he remembers there were about five people in total.

Eager to get his life back on track, Red Banton called on promoter Nobert Events to help him meet General Salim Saleh and Afande Nalweyiso.

“I am requesting Norbert Events, if he can, to take me to General Saleh so that I can also meet him and Afande Nalweyiso. I want to be helped and live a better life,” he pleaded.

“Many people go there. But I do not know how to reach Afande Saleh. I need to see him,” he added.

Although he dismissed claims that he is homeless, Red Banton admitted that he recently left his house on Entebbe Road after the rent was increased.

He now stays in a more affordable place, paying UGX 400K per month, though he still struggles to raise the amount.