Shakib Cham Lutaaya, a Ugandan businessman and husband to socialite and entrepreneur Zari Hassan, has finally responded to the widely asked question about his actions on Netflix.
Shakib, who fulfilled his dream of appearing on Netflix’s show – Young, Famous & African, explained that his decision to introduce himself in Luganda was not accidental but something he had been contemplating for a long time, done with a clear purpose.
In an exclusive interview with a Ugandan TV station, the businessman, who is also a boxer, revealed the reason behind introducing himself in Luganda while everyone else was using English.
According to Shakib, introducing himself in Luganda did not lower his status in any way, as some had suggested, because he was proud to represent his native language to millions of viewers around the world who were watching the show.
He shared that since childhood, he had been following films and had always dreamed of seeing Ugandan films on such a global platform.
Therefore, when he got the opportunity to feature in Young, Famous & African on Netflix, he wanted to proudly fly the Ugandan flag by using his native Luganda language.
“I’ve grown up watching Netflix films, and I always wished to see Ugandan films on that platform. So, when I got the opportunity to be part of Young, Famous & African, I wanted to raise the Ugandan flag by speaking Luganda,” Shakib explained.
In the show, which featured wealthy entertainment figures from various African countries, Shakib introduced himself in his native language, sparking mixed reactions, particularly from those who were unfamiliar with the language.
This issue is believed to be one of the reasons Nigerian beauty Anne Macaulay, who recently divorced her husband 2Face Idibia, mocked Shakib in front of Zari herself.
Zari also shut down social media critics who were mocking Shakib’s heavy Luganda accent in English.
According to Zari, this has been a moment of success for her husband, and those mocking his speech probably have nothing but phones and internet access.
by MOSES SAGWE
