Minister of Youth and Children Nakiwala Kiyingi has said that it is wrong for 7-year old new-rapper-on-the-block Fresh Kid (real names Patrick Ssenyonjo) to be making a career out of his music when he is still a minor.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Hon. Nakiwala Kiyingi said that it has come to her notice that Fresh Kid, while still a minor (less than 18 years old), has become a professional musician who is always performing for money at different events around Kampala, often late into the night. She said this is wrong because the 7-year-old should be primarily concentrating on his studies at school, as well as spending much of his time under the guidance and control of his parents at home, rather than being out performing late at night.
Nakiwala pointed out that the Law of Uganda declares it illegal to engage minors in professional/money-making activities. She immediately called upon Fresh Kid’s management and family to stop turning him into a professional at his age, or else she’ll take action against them -quoting the Penal Code to indicate how the Law is against the use of minors in money-making activities.
Hon. Nakiwala also warned event organizers, as well as the operators and owners of the venues where the events that Fresh Kid has been performing at are held, not to let Fresh Kid perform at their events/venues again, or else she’ll swing into action and bring them to face the law.
“According to the Constitution of Uganda, children who are below eighteen years are not allowed to perform and enter in clubs, so I am going to do everything possible to stop kids from performing and entering in Clubs,” the Minister stated.
“I take this opportunity to warn all of you who are engaging children in things like this and renting them houses, you will also be arrested according to the law,” Nakiwala Kiyingi said.