Ugandan dancehall sensation Beenie Gunter, real name Crescent Baguma, is currently in custody in Abu Dhabi after being arrested in Dubai on Sunday.
The Tubayo singer, who had been in the UAE for a few weeks, reportedly got caught up in a scuffle with event promoters in Abu Dhabi on January 8, 2024.
Trouble began after a disagreement between two promoters following his Dubai performance. Trying to play peacemaker, Beenie Gunter ended up on the receiving end of a beating.
The chaos didn’t escape authorities’ notice, and the bar where the fight occurred suffered property damage. On his way back to Uganda with his son’s mother, Nickie Berry, via a Dubai airport, Beenie Gunter was arrested and later transferred to Abu Dhabi.
Currently under investigation, all parties involved are expected to cover the damages to the venue.
Beenie Gunter’s supporters have launched a social media campaign urging his release so he can return home. Nickie Berry, who had to travel back to Uganda alone, is tirelessly working to secure her partner’s freedom.
According to Nickie, the arrest took place at the Dubai airport, where Beenie Gunter was asked to cover the damages resulting from the brawl at his show. The scuffle originated between promoters from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with the latter allegedly hiring disruptors who caused chaos and significant damage.
“Beenie Gunter wasn’t fighting. He came in as a mediator to calm the storm and was also beaten up by the goons,” explained Nickie.
UNMF President Eddy Kenzo is leading efforts to secure Beenie Gunter’s release and return to Uganda. A wave of support from fellow artists, including Rickman, Lydia Jazmine, and Spice Diana, is fueling the ‘#FreeBeenieGunter’ campaign on social media.
