Gravity Omutujju Under Fire Over Secret Shs650m Payout in Bitter Row with Bebe Cool

On Thursday April 30, the country woke up to viral video clips of singer Gravity Omutujju demanding money from fellow musician and prominent supporter of President Yoweri Museveni, Bebe Cool, claiming he had not received funds allegedly meant for musicians who participated in campaign activities.

According to Omutujju, Bebe Cool had been given money to distribute to artists who mobilised and performed during the campaigns. He insists that he was entitled to Shs500 million, which he claims was never paid.

However, findings from this investigative news website paint a different picture, contradicting key elements of Omutujju’s claims.

At the start of the campaigns, Bebe Cool was tasked to coordinate musicians who would perform at various rallies across the country.

He mobilised, recruited and managed a number of artists, including Omutujju, who agreed to take part in the activities with the understanding that facilitation would be provided at a later stage.

In the middle of the campaigns, Omutujju together with Eddy Kenzo sought an audience with the President in Iganga. During that meeting, Omutujju, reportedly on Kenzo’s advice, requested to be paid directly rather than through Bebe Cool like the rest of the musicians.

The request initially faced resistance but was later accepted, with the President directing that he would instead be facilitated through the National Resistance Movement Secretariat.

Upon returning to Kampala, Omutujju informed fellow musicians and Bebe Cool of the development and asked to be removed from the coordination list since he would be handled separately. This was done without protest.

Weeks later, after failing to receive the money through the Secretariat, Omutujju returned to Bebe Cool expressing concern and requesting to be reinstated on the list. In good faith, Bebe Cool accepted and restored him.

Even after his reinstatement, Omutujju reportedly continued pursuing payment from the Secretariat, raising concerns that he was positioning himself to benefit from both arrangements.

This publication has established that earlier this week, Omutujju received Shs650 million from the Secretariat as earlier pledged.

Despite receiving the money, he did not inform Bebe Cool or withdraw himself from the coordination list, effectively keeping open the possibility of a second payout.

A source familiar with the matter said, “He knew exactly what he was doing. You cannot ask to be paid separately, come back to the list, and still quietly take money from the other side.”

When confronted, Omutujju reportedly admitted receiving the funds but claimed the money was not related to campaign activities, instead insisting it was compensation for losses suffered during the October 2025 floods around Nakivubo Channel.

That explanation has been widely questioned, especially given that compensation for affected traders has not yet been fully implemented.

Another insider dismissed the claim, saying, “That explanation does not add up. Many people are still waiting for compensation, so how does one individual receive such a huge amount through a political channel.”

Sources further indicate that Bebe Cool has not yet received any money to distribute to musicians, contrary to claims being circulated. The funds are said to still be pending release, meaning Omutujju’s accusations may have been based on misinformation or deliberate distortion.

The fallout now exposes what can be described as clear greed and dishonesty on Omutujju’s part, particularly given the sequence of events and his shifting positions throughout the process.

Efforts to reach both Omutujju and Bebe Cool for comment were unsuccessful as their known phone contacts were unavailable by the time of publication.