Rwandan singer The Ben reportedly earned up to $150,000 (about Rwf220 million) for a private birthday performance in Uganda over the weekend, although the singer has declined to disclose the actual amount he was paid. The singer, born Benjamin Mugisha, travelled to Kampala, Uganda, on Saturday, August 29, to perform at a birthday celebration organised by Ugandan businessman Robert Mutungi for his wife, Olivia, popularly known as Olivia Ventures. Ugandan entertainment outlet Sqoop reported that Mutungi spent more than $150,000 to fly in The Ben and stage the exclusive celebration, although it noted that the figure had not been independently verified. Some reports have since interpreted the reported amount as The Ben’s performance fee. However, asked about the reports, The Ben stopped short of confirming how much he was paid. “Does how much I was paid really matter?” he told IGIHE, adding that what mattered was being invited by a family that appreciates his music and seeing them enjoy the occasion. A lucrative gig he couldn’t turn down The private engagement in Uganda also meant The Ben missed an opportunity to join Tanzanian star Diamond Platnumz on stage in Kigali. Diamond travelled to Kigali for his show at the BK Arena parking lot, where he had hoped to perform “Why,” his collaboration with The Ben. Released in 2022, the song has continued to make waves across East Africa, and Diamond had expected to perform it alongside his Rwandan collaborator during the Diamond Platnumz Experience. However, The Ben had landed the lucrative Kampala booking on the same day, making it impossible for him to appear at Diamond’s Kigali show. Diamond told fans that he had hoped to perform the song with The Ben but that the Rwandan singer was in Uganda for another engagement. The Ben also confirmed that the private celebration was the reason he could not join the Tanzanian star on stage that night. “I couldn't perform with Diamond because I had been invited here in Uganda, and it seems the two events just happened to coincide unexpectedly,” he said. Diamond nevertheless performed the song which was welcome by his Kigali audience. In Uganda, The Ben performed alongside several leading Ugandan musicians, including Rema Namakula, Fik Fameica, Elijah Kitaka, Winnie Nwagi, Ykee Benda, Dax Vibez and Liam Voice. Media personality Sheilah Gashumba and comedian Alex Muhangi were also reported to be among the guests at the celebration.
