Stop performing or face prison – Ugandan minister warns 7-year-old rapper

A 7-year-old rapper in Uganda has been told to stop performing due to his tender age and concentrate on his education. The Minister of State for Youth and Children Affairs, Nakiwala Kiyingi, on Tuesday, said that the country’s labour laws do not allow anyone under 18 to work.

“Uganda’s constitution Article 59 clause 56 line 8 restricts young children below 18 from being used for any financial benefits,” said Nakiwala.

She warned that the young boy could face juvenile prison if he disobeyed the law.

Fresh Kid, whose real name is Patrick Ssenyonjo, is a primary 2 pupil at St. Agnes primary school in Uganda. Born in Kasana Luweero, the young rapper was discovered in 2018 and is loved by many for his performances and hit songs like “Taki taki’ and ‘Banteeka’.

The youth minister, however, wants the young chap to stop performing since he was always busy working and missing school at a time his colleagues were learning in class.

Her concerns come on the back of reports of child labour in Uganda, where children are seen hawking, doing small businesses or working on farms.

Francis Kamoga, his manager, said the young rapper has been going to school. In an interview with the BBC, he said that the child star performs on Saturdays and Sundays and has only had two shows, one music video and three songs since the start of the year.

He insisted that the boy is not working and is not being paid.

“I discovered him in a rural village miming some songs, brought him to the city and started paying his school fees” he said.

Meanwhile, people are condemning the government official for trying to ruin the boy’s calling: