GOSSIP
Ugandan musician Bebe Cool (real name Moses Ssali) has sparked a heated cross-border social media feud after publicly accusing former Miss Rwanda 2016, Jolly Mutesi, of conning him out of money using the names of Rwanda and Arsenal Football Club.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Bebe Cool claimed the alleged scam occurred last year while he was seeking opportunities for his son Alpha Ssali’s football career. He alleged that Mutesi, who lives in the UK and is a known Arsenal supporter, deceived him with promises tied to Rwanda and major football clubs.
“This woman @mutesi_jolly stays in the UK, and she always watches Arsenal games. She conned me last year in the name of Rwanda, Arsenal football club, and now she’s on another big mission,” one of his tweets read.
Bebe Cool further claimed he has substantial evidence, including knowledge of other victims, and alleged that Mutesi and an accomplice (whom he described as her “dark colored girlfriend”) have been running the scheme for a long time. He said one victim physically met the person involved, confirming the identity, and mentioned a Ugandan contact handling accounts for receiving funds. The singer emphasized that he engaged in the chats openly with his wife’s knowledge, believing it concerned genuine football opportunities.
He tagged high-profile figures including Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Uganda’s Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, stating he was acting to protect Rwanda’s image.
Jolly Mutesi’s Response
Mutesi quickly denied the allegations. In her statement on X, she said someone has been impersonating her using fake accounts, including one under the name “AKANSASIRA JOLLY,” to scam people.
“It has come to my attention that someone has created a fake account & is impersonating me in the name of AKANSASIRA JOLLY. I regret that some of my people have become victims. Pls be cautious, do not engage with messages from any other unverified accounts,” she posted.
She has urged the public and Bebe Cool to fact-check before making such claims and noted that she had previously warned about impersonators.
Reactions and Context
The dispute has divided opinions online, with reactions often falling along national lines. Some Rwandan users and media personalities have backed Mutesi, suggesting Bebe Cool may have fallen victim to sophisticated online scammers impersonating her.
Neither party has publicly shared concrete evidence such as transaction records or screenshots so far, and no formal police complaints or legal actions have been confirmed in reports.
Mutesi, who has maintained a relatively low public profile since her reign as Miss Rwanda, recently drew attention for unveiling a luxurious home in Kigali. Bebe Cool remains one of Uganda’s most outspoken and influential musicians.
The story is still developing, with many calling for both sides to provide verifiable proof or involve authorities. Social media users are divided between demanding evidence and warning about the dangers of online impersonation scams.
Torch Media Africa
