Ugandan citizens and fans alike were outraged after Ugandan child rapper Patrick Ssenyonjo popularly known by the stage name Fresh kid was asked to stop doing music or get arrested.
Youth minister Florence Nakiwala made it clear that the seven-year-old should quit rapping and go to school full time, or face the consequence of being taken to a juvenile prison.
This came after allegations that Fresh kid was not attending school and could perform late at night while his age mates were studying, a move the Youth minister describes as child labour.
Reports have now surfaced that Uganda’s Youth Minister Florence Kiyingi and budding rapper Fresh Kid have struck a compromise at how the seven year-old will balance his studies and still pursue his music talent.
On Tuesday, Ms Kiyingi cleared Fresh Kid, real name Patrick Ssenyonjo, to continue honing his rap skill, but after classes, during weekends and during school holidays.
Fresh Kid was however barred from performing in bars and for commercial purposes.
The ministry explained that keeping Fresh Kid in bars violates his rights as a child and that he risks being harmed and learning strange behaviours.
Those present at the meeting included Fresh Kid, his parents, managers, and Ms Kiyingi.
“We told them about the Children’s Act, 2018, which talks about the right to survival, nutrition and good health, protection from any form of violence, the right to development and the right to go to school,” she said.
The minister has also assigned a social worker to work with Fresh Kid’s manager and parents to ensure that his rights as a child are not violated.
This compromise is a significant climbdown from Ms Kiyingi’s earlier sentiments last week in which she warmed Fresh Kid to shelve his showbiz ambition and instead concentrate on studies.