Playwright and drama director John Segawa has opened up with a candid critique of creatives transitioning into the political arena, warning that the move has done more harm than good to Uganda’s arts industry.In his honest assessment, Segawa likened politics to a “gambling ball,” a risky venture that demands financial muscle and offers little room for return once the leap is taken.“Politics is a gambling ball. You don’t have the money, you don’t come in. If they had the money, they would have had the party tickets. If you go there, it’s a gamble, and there is no way back,” Segawa remarked.Segawa revealed that he has repeatedly advised fellow creatives against entering the murky waters of politics, advice that has often gone unheeded.Dating back to 2017, he recalled warning Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as Bobi Wine, not to contest as an independent in the Kyadondo East by-election. Despite the warning, Bobi Wine went ahead, won the election, and launched a political journey that would alter Uganda’s political landscape.But Segawa says he foresaw what others didn’t — the unintended consequences the move would have on Uganda’s arts sector.“Even Bobi Wine himself, I stopped him from coming as an independent in 2017. I was alerting him that if he reaches there, he would cause us the backfire that we are facing in the arts today. The main problem with Ugandan arts today is taking part in politics, and that’s why it has dipped,” he said.Segawa didn’t stop with Bobi Wine. Over the years, he has voiced similar concerns to other public figures and entertainers who eyed political office — including Patriko Mujuuka, Mary Flavia Namulindwa, Stecia Mayanja, Geoffrey Lutaaya, and Dr. Hilderman.Exactly five years ago, I was seated with my brother Patriko Mujuuka and told him, ‘Don’t go; you’re better off where you are. You’re bigger than that.’When he failed to secure the party ticket, I called Bobi to talk to him and advise him not to contest. Now, he is not with us. Wherever he is, I wish him the best.Segawa spoke passionately about Mary Flavia Namulindwa, whom he refers to as a daughter, urging her not to get involved in politics. He had similar conversations with Reign, insisting that they belonged in the theatre, where their voices and talents could make a real impact.Walukagga predicts victory in Busiro East election, ready for swearing-in“Reign, I talked to him and told him I’d be happiest if he didn’t get the party card. I told him, ‘We belong to the theatre, and we have a constituency in the arts. We can survive here.’”While acknowledging that some creatives, like Bobi Wine, may have had the leadership qualities necessary for politics, Segawa stressed that the majority do not. His concern lies in the toll this political shift has taken on the very foundation of Uganda’s creative industry, theatre, film, and music.The post John Segawa warns creatives against joining politics appeared first on MBU.